The Effects of Music on Cancer Patients Submitted to Chemotherapy Treatment.

Background: Cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing globally. Recently, the use of complementary therapies in Oncology, such as music-based interventions, has increased remarkably. Objective: To assess the effects of recorded music on pulse and blood pressure levels, as well as on the quality of life of cancer patients, who received intravenous chemotherapy in one day. Methodology: The study was based on a pre and post-test design without randomization. It was conducted in the Chemotherapy Day Unit of a Military Hospital in Athens, Greece. The control group (n=17), consisting of persons who did not like music, received intravenous chemotherapy, while the intervention group (n=17), those who liked music, listened to recorded music for 20 minutes during chemotherapy. An electronic sphygmomanometer, a demographic-music data questionnaire and the Greek version of SF-12v2 were used. Results: The experimental group patients had a statistically significant increase in Mental Health Component Summary score (p=.031), Role Emotional score (p=.009) and Mental Health score (p=.038). Physical Health Component Summary score as well as pulse and blood pressure scores, were not differed significantly between groups. Non-metastatic cancer patients had a significantly larger decrement in systolic blood pressure, in comparison to metastatic cancer ones (p=.031). Conclusions: Listening to music may improve quality of life, especially mental health of cancer patients submitted to intravenous chemotherapy. It is a simple, noninvasive and an inexpensive intervention as well. Nurses may integrate music listening in Chemotherapy Day Units as a complementary therapeutic choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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