Effects of live music during chemotherapy in lymphoma patients: a randomized, controlled, multi-center trial

Abstract

Chemotherapy is associated with both somatic and psychological side effects. Music might ease these problems. Several randomized controlled trials have investigated the effect of music, but the results are inconclusive. We aimed to examine whether live or pre-recorded music listening decrease anxiety during chemotherapy in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients. Methods: A total of 143 patients with non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas were randomly assigned into three groups receiving either 30 minutes of patient-preferred live music (n=47), 30 minutes of patient-preferred pre-recorded music (n=47) or standard care (n=49) during up to five outpatient chemotherapy sessions. The primary end-point was anxiety measured by the Spielberger´s State Anxiety Inventory. Secondary end-points included blood pressure, pulse rate, nausea and vomiting, serum catecholamine levels pre-and post-intervention to measure arousal levels, and healthrelated quality of life. The Musical Ability Test was used to link musical ability to the primary endpoint. Results: When adjusting for age, sex, diagnosis, number of sessions and baseline anxiety the linear mixed model, showed a borderline statistically significant reduction in the primary outcome anxiety in the live music group compared to standard care (7% (95% CI,-14% to 0%, p=0.05), while the effect of pre-recorded music was non-significant (5% (95% CI,-12% to +3%, p=0.18). No intervention effects were seen in secondary outcomes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that patient-preferred live music reduces anxiety among patients with malignant lymphomas undergoing chemotherapy. Musical ability among this group of cancer patients seems not to be a determining factor for effect of music intervention.

Impact of a Music Intervention on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…However, most of the studies have been performed in patients undergoing other treatment procedures, such as breast biopsy, 10 , 11 surgery, 12 and radiotherapy. 9 , 13 Other studies included patients undergoing different chemotherapy protocols for various tumor types, 20 - 24 thus comparing heterogeneous groups. Few studies have focused on the effect of MT in female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, 14 - 18 and they have applied different MT methods.…”

“… 4 In recent years, there has been an increasing body of research addressing health-related QoL measures, taking into account the impact of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment of side effects, and therapeutic interventions to alleviate patients’ suffering. 9 - 24 …”

Effect of Viewing Disney Movies During Chemotherapy on Self-Reported Quality of Life Among Patients With Gynecologic Cancer

“…8 Furthermore, the duration of a Disney movie is 76 to 140 minutes, whereas most interventional music sessions last only 30 to 45 minutes. [3][4][5] Thus, Disney movies distracted patients for at least one-third of the duration of the treatment. Moreover, movies affect more senses than music alone.…”

“…This makes them easier to apply than other, more specific works of art. 5 Second, the movies contain catchy songs, likable characters, and memorable phrases and scenes. This may bring back a feeling of relief.…”

“…Two recent studies showed impressive results: Lopez et al 4 described that tailored music therapy intervention can help reduce global, physical, and psychosocial distress. A Danish study group 5 demonstrated that patients with non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma had reduced anxiety by listening to live music of their own choosing.…”