Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients

Abstract

This systematic review indicates that music interventions may have beneficial effects on anxiety, pain, fatigue and QoL in people with cancer. Furthermore, music may have a small effect on heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Most trials were at high risk of bias and, therefore, these results need to be interpreted with caution.

Music Therapy Is Associated With Family Perception of More Spiritual Support and Decreased Breathing Problems in Cancer Patients Receiving Hospice Care

“…Anxiety and pain are common reasons for referral to music therapy; however, research supporting the use of music therapy to decrease anxiety and pain is equivocal. 7,9,10,25 Improvisation, songwriting, and pairing live or recorded music with imagery experiences are examples of common interventions used by hospice music therapists. 26 These interventions are differentially effective when targeting anxiety and stress related outcomes.…”

“…Systematic reviews summarizing the available quantitative evidence for music therapy in hospice and cancer care arrive at similar conclusions: preliminary evidence from small scale studies included in reviews suggests music therapy interventions may be beneficial in decreasing patient-perceived anxiety and pain and improving quality of life. 7,[9][10][11] Studies published after the most recent reviews as well as interpretive research provide further support that music therapy improves quality of life, specifically in terms of psychophysiological issues such as anxiety, pain, and shortness of breath as well as spirituality. [12][13][14][15] Interpretive research describes patients and families experience music and music therapy as providing ways to remain connected to self and others, a means for expression, and a way to stimulate reminiscence and life review.…”

La música como una herramienta terapéutica en medicina

“…Las respuestas que gatilla la música en estructuras que dan input dopaminérgico como el área tegmental ventral y el núcleo acumbens (parte del sistema límbico), como veremos más adelante, sugieren que la música reduce el dolor al aliviar la ansiedad y distraer la atención de estímulos aversivos, ayudando a sobrellevar así el estrés emocional 1,3 . El efecto en cáncer es promisorio: una revisión Cochrane que evaluó parámetros psicológicos y fí-sicos en personas con cáncer, sugiere que la música puede tener efectos positivos en la ansiedad, ánimo, dolor y calidad de vida en pacientes afectados de cáncer 34 . Además, concluye que la música puede tener un buen efecto en moderar la frecuencia cardía-ca, respiratoria y la presión arterial.…”

Update in Hospice and Palliative Care

“…Bradt et al 20 Continue Expanding the evidence base and scope of pediatric palliative care. Feudtner et al 21 Using professional in-person and telephone interpreters with language discordant patients; double check for understanding of key information.…”