“Adjunctive effects of a short session of music on pain, low-mood and anxiety modulation among cancer patients” – A randomized crossover clinical trial

Abstract

Aims:Pain, a distressing symptom frequently suffered by cancer patients, is inherently associated with anxiety and depression yet often not alleviated with pharmacotherapy alone. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of an instrumental classical music listening session as an adjunct to the ongoing therapies, on pain, anxiety, and mood modulation in cancer patients.Materials and Methods:A randomized crossover open clinical trial was designed involving adult resident patients suffering pain at a tertiary cancer care institution. The same group of patients (n = 24) were monitored for selected outcomes without (day 1) and then with administration of music (day 2). The primary (subjective) outcomes such as pain, anxiety, and mood levels measured on visual analog scale and surrogate (objective) parameters such as pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pupillary size monitored were compared utilizing paired-sample t-test.Results:Statistically significant improvements were noted in all three subjective parameters; pain and anxiety were significantly diminished until the 4th h (P = 0.007 and P = 0.0022, respectively), while low mood remained alleviated until the 12th h reading point (P = 0.007). Statistically significant reductions were present in surrogate end points such as pupillary size (P = 0.003 up to 12 h) and respiratory rate (P = 0.01 up to 8 h). Declines noted in the heart rate, and blood pressure readings were statistically insignificant. None suffered deterioration of their existing well-being.Conclusions:Hence, we conclude that culturally familiar instrumental classical music demonstrates a significant effect in alleviating pain, anxiety, and low mood as an adjunct to on-going therapies in cancer patients.

How Do Music Activities Affect Health and Well-Being? A Scoping Review of Studies Examining Psychosocial Mechanisms

“…The duration of these effects is difficult to ascertain due to the varying lengths of follow up across measures and studies. However, one study found that reduced levels of anxiety and pain were sustained for at least 12 h after music listening (Fernando et al, 2019 ). Several of these studies reported positive emotional effects of music listening compared to a control (no music listening group).…”

The effect of music on pain and anxiety in patients receiving chemotherapy during COVID‐19

“…This finding shows that music is effective in reducing pain in patients receiving chemotherapy during the COVID‐19 process. Studies on music practices in cancer patients in the literature show that music has a positive effect on the pain levels of cancer patients (Binns‐Turner et al, 2008; Bradt et al, 2015; Fernando et al, 2019; Vachiramon et al, 2013). It has been stated that music creates various neuronal effects in patients with chronic cancer pain and is effective on patients' pain levels (Hunt et al, 2021).…”

“…Using music in cancer treatment process provides relaxation in patients and reduces symptoms such as stress, pain and anxiety caused by cancer and its treatments (Arslan & Özdemir, 2015). In the carried out studies, it has been shown that music practices have a positive effect on reducing pain (Binns‐Turner et al, 2008; Bradt et al, 2016; Danhauer et al, 2010; Gutgsell et al, 2013; Krishnaswamy & Nair, 2016; Li et al, 2012; Moradian et al, 2015) and anxiety levels (Binns‐Turner et al, 2008; Bradt et al, 2016; Danhauer et al, 2010; Krishnaswamy & Nair, 2016; Palmer et al, 2015; Zhou et al, 2015) in cancer patients (Fernando et al, 2019; Jasemi et al, 2016).…”

Effekte von Musik in der Intensivmedizin

“…Schmerz und Stress sind vielfach von Angst begleitet, sodass diese Trias beim kritisch kranken Patienten in der Intensivmedizin eine wesentliche Rolle spielt [ 6 , 11 , 43 ]. In einer kürzlich vorgestellten Untersuchung an 59 Patienten, die sich einer HNO-Operation unterziehen mussten, wurden 29 Patienten additiv mit einer Musikbeschallung (2-mal 30 min täglich) behandelt [ 14 ].…”