This study aims at determining the effectiveness of music therapy in a hospice setting. We employed the salivary cortisol level, which is widely used to measure stress level, as an objective and physical indicator and the Mood Inventory, which measures mood change, as the subjective and psychological indicators. Though many preceding studies have demonstrated that listening to music lowers cortisol levels and reduces stress, no study seems to have included hospice patients. This study measured, with the consent of 10 hospice inpatients, their salivary cortisol levels. Individual interviews, according to the Mood Inventory, were conducted before and after a small-group session. Since all the participants had terminal cancer, the 40-minute live session of songs of seasons and the participants' requests was given in a mostly passive manner considering their physical strength. Results showed significant lowering of salivary cortisol levels after the therapy session. As for the parameters of mood, refreshment was significantly increased. Though fatigue remained unchanged, anxiety and depression decreased while the score for excitement tended to increase. Thus, it was indicated that music therapy in a hospice setting reduces the stress level of patients and thereby plays a positive role in improving patients' quality of life.

Background: Music therapy (MT) may exert beneficial preventive effects in frail elderly individuals in psychophysiological health. Objectives: One hundred and fifteen frail elderly individuals (65–89 years old) participated. Methods: Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups for a controlled crossover trial. The MT-first group participated in group sessions of 45–50 min conducted by a certified music therapist for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week waiting period. The waiting-first group participated in the reverse order. Cognitive function was assessed by the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Yamaguchi Kanji Symbol Substitution Test (YKSST). Physical function was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Psychophysical health was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item version (GDS-15), General Health Questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12), Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and Life Space Assessment (LSA) scale. We also evaluated the outcome of MT using the Clinical Global Impressions of Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Results: After 12 weeks of MT, significant improvements were observed in TUG, GDS-15, and GHQ-12 scores. However, no improvements were noted in other scores. CGI-I scores revealed the significant benefits of MT. Conclusions: MT may improve physical function, depressive mood, and quality of life in frail elderly individuals.