Effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety in treating cancer patients: A feas

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1624568713001029
Douleurs : Evaluation – Diagnostic – Traitement, Volume 14, Issue 4, September 2013, Pages 200–207
Effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety in treating cancer patients: A feasibility study by Cécilia Jourt-Pineaua, , , Stéphane Guétinb, Lionnel Védrinea, Sylvestre Le Mouleca, Jean-Michel Poiriera, Bernard Ceccaldia
Summary
Introduction
Recent clinical studies have confirmed the benefits of music therapy in the management of pain, anxiety, mood and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. It would further reduce nausea and physical and psychological suffering.
Objectives
To assess the value of receptive music therapy on pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients and/or followed in oncology.
Patients and methods
Prospective study in 24 patients hospitalized with cancer and/or followed on an outpatient basis with the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS 0 to 10) pain and/or anxiety greater or equal to 3. Patients received weekly sessions of receptive music therapy according to the protocol adapted from the U-based music therapy method by a trained music therapist. They quantified their level of pain and anxiety on two visual analogue scales before, after and 30 minutes after each session.
Results
The receptive music therapy allows significant reductions in pain (P < 0.001) during the session (−58.3%) until 30 minutes after (−59.7%). A reduction in anxiety (P < 0.001) was observed during the session (−74.3%) until 30 minutes after (−72.6%).
Discussion/Conclusion
The results of this feasibility study demonstrate that receptive music therapy according to the protocol adapted from the U-based music therapy method helps to reduce pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients and/or followed in oncology. In addition, music therapy fits perfectly into a multidisciplinary management and overall patient and is well accepted by patients and teams. A randomized controlled study is needed to validate these initial results.