Which approach uses music to prepare a patient for a painful procedure?

The approach that utilizes music to prepare a patient for a painful procedure is best characterized by the idea of music as a carrier of information. In this context, music can be seen as a medium through which patients can process information about what to expect during their procedure. It engages the patient's mind and allows them to situate their experience within a larger, more manageable narrative. This helps in reducing anxiety by providing context, rhythm, and a sense of structure to the experience.

While the other options may also involve using music in therapeutic settings, they do not encapsulate the specific interaction of music with informational preparation in the same way. For instance, music as a cue for relaxation focuses primarily on inducing a state of calm to help manage stress and anxiety, rather than preparing for a specific event. Music as a positive stimulus aims to evoke pleasant feelings or memories, which can aid in mood enhancement, but does not directly correlate with preparing for procedure-related anxiety. Music as a distraction is effective for diverting attention away from pain or discomfort during procedures but doesn't involve the preparatory aspect that is implied when music is considered a carrier of information.