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Got It, Hide thisTsai HF, Chen YR, Chung MH, et al. Effectiveness of Music Intervention in Ameliorating Cancer Patients` Anxiety, Depression, Pain, and Fatigue: A Meta-analysis. Cancer Nurs. 2014 Mar 21. [Epub ahead of print]
In people with cancer, does music therapy reduce anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue (tiredness)?
People with cancer can have a number of physical and psychological symptoms. Music therapy may be used to treat some of these symptoms. It involves the use of music to promote healing and improve quality of life. It can include activities such as listening to music, singing, making music, and writing songs.
The researchers did a systematic review, searching for published studies up to December 2012. They found 19 randomized controlled trials and 2 non-randomized trials of 1608 people (average age from 8 to 57 years).
People in the trials had various types of cancer that ranged in severity. Most were in hospital.
In most trials, music therapy involved listening, was provided to individuals (rather than groups), and allowed people to pick the music.
Music therapy was compared with usual care.
The quality of evidence was rated as good in all trials (rated at least 6 out of 10).
Compared with usual care, music therapy:
Music therapy was more effective when patients were able to select the music.
In people with cancer, music therapy reduces anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue compared with usual care.
Outcomes | Number of trials | Effect of music therapy |
Anxiety | 17 | Medium decrease with music therapy |
Depression | 8 | Medium decrease with music therapy |
Pain | 6 | Medium decrease with music therapy |
Fatigue (tiredness) | 5 | Small decrease with music therapy |