For the study review, researchers from Drexel University, Temple University, and New York University in the U.S. examined and compared the effects of music therapy and music medicine interventions on the psychological and physical health of cancer patients. The researchers reviewed 52 trials with a total of 3,731 participants. They included music therapy interventions offered by trained music therapists, as well as music interventions such as listening to pre-recorded music.
The findings of the review suggested that music therapy not only relieves pain but also anxiety, fatigue, and depression. In addition, music therapy improved the quality of life of people with cancer. Furthermore, the findings indicated that music may improve heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure of cancer patients. (Related: Music Therapy Shows Promise in Treating High Blood Pressure.)
Cancer patients who receive music therapy do not only gain relaxation from it but also receive emotional and spiritual support and support communication with loved ones. Listening to music also improves their sense of control and physical well-being.
After comparing the effects of music therapy and music medicine interventions, music therapy resulted in more consistent benefits than music medicine. This may be because music therapists meet the individual needs of patients through music interventions instead of offering a few choices of pre-recorded music that may not be suitable for all patients. Moreover, cancer patients who received both interventions preferred music therapy sessions because they were given individual attention and care. Music therapy also gave them the chance to make music and express their emotions through singing and playing instruments.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that music therapy may serve as a complementary treatment in cancer patients.
Music therapy is more than just listening to music. It also involves making music and writing songs. Moreover, one does not need to be a musical genius to benefit from music therapy. Music therapy does not only benefit cancer patients. Many studies have shown that music therapy improves the well-being of patients with different medical conditions. Here are some of them:
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