The effects of a biofeedback and music training programme in reducing stress in Thai patients living with cancer receiving palliative care

Abstract

Background: Stress can physically effect patients with cancer undergoing palliative care and should be targeted for prevention. Aim: To examine the effects of the biofeedback and music training programme (BMT programme) in decreasing stress among patients living with cancer receiving palliative care. Methods: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) repeated measure study was used to investigate the effects of the BMT programme. Findings: The participants in the BMT programme had the lowest mean stress recorded before, during and after the experiment, while the control group had a higher mean of stress in every measurement period. There were significant differences among groups across the time periods (Wilks' lambda =0.269, F=7.081, p<0.01). Conclusion: Use of the BMT programme resulted in a significant reduction in patient stress. This confirms that the BMT programme plays an important role in helping patients living with cancer that experience high volumes of stress.