Music intervention during chemotherapy infusion reduces anxiety in oncological patients

Abstract

Background: Oncological patients frequently react to cancer diagnosis and treatments, including chemotherapy, by developing disturbing emotional symptoms such as anxiety. Anxiety for chemotherapy may induce anticipatory side effects, such as emesis and fatigue. Music is considered a common “complementary therapy” in various clinical settings (i.e. surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy) able to reduce anxiety, lessen treatment side effects, improve mood, and enhance pain management. Moreover, music may have a beneficial effect on heart and respiratory rate and blood pressure. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of music intervention upon some physiological and psychological parameters, especially anxiety, in cancer patients during chemotherapy administration. Methods: Between October 2015 and May 2016 a quasi‐experimental study was conducted on a total of 100 patients at the Medical Oncology Unit of the Tor Vergata Clinical Center. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following: 1) music intervention group (n=50) and 2) control group (n=50). Procedure: Patients were asked to respond to some self‐reported questionnaires (State‐ Trait Anxiety Inventory, Visual Analog Scale for Pain intensity) and physiological parameters were registered (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate). Pre‐ and posttest data were thus collected. Measurements on the experimental group were recorded twice: prior to T0 and after music medicine intervention, which was characterized by passive listening to pre‐recorded music for a period of 45 minutes (T1) during chemotherapy administration. Measurements on the control group were also recorded twice at the same time points, but without music. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in mean change of State‐ Trait Anxiety Inventory scores between the music and the control group (F 9.55; p=0.003). Although significant decreases were observed in heart rate (p=0.027), no significant differences were seen as regards blood pressure, respiratory rate or pain perception. Conclusion: Music intervention during chemotherapy administration decreased the state of anxiety levels and heart rate in oncological patients, showing that a simple environmental intervention can promote psychological well being and quality of life improvement.