Physical and Nonphysical Effects of Weekly Music Therapy Intervention on the Condition of Radiooncology Patients

Overview

Journal Strahlenther Onkol

Specialties Oncology
Radiology

Date 2022 Dec 23

PMID 36564569

Authors

Patrick Clemens

Philipp Szeverinski

Peter Tschann

Marion Dietl

Joyce Gurk

Matthias Kowatsch

Gerhard Tucek

Alexander de Vries

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: In oncology settings, music, especially music therapy (MT), is frequently used to improve patients' quality of life, pain situation, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and comfort. However, to date, there are no prospectively collected data correlating regular standardized MT sessions during radiotherapy (RT) to physical parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation and corresponding quality of life measures using quantitative descriptive scales in oncological patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MT on the condition of radiooncology patients using these parameters.

Materials And Methods: During this study, patients participated weekly MT sessions guided by a board-certified music therapist. Data such as pain, physical comfort, and respiratory comfort based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were collected before and after MT sessions. Furthermore, vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation as well as RT side effects were recorded.

Results: A total of 57 patients (age 61 ± 11 years) were enrolled in the study. Median VAS score was significantly different before and after MT for pain: VAS 1 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0-3) vs. VAS 0 (IQR: 0-2; p < 0.001); physical comfort: VAS 7 (IQR: 6-7) vs. VAS 8 (IQR: 7-9; p < 0.001); and respiratory comfort only in the patients with pre-existing symptoms (VAS < 10 before therapy): VAS 8 (IQR: 6-8) vs. VAS 9 (IQR: 8-10; p = 0.002). Furthermore, vital signs were significantly reduced from pre-session to post-session (p > 0.001): heart rate 81 ± 14 min to 76 ± 13 min and respiratory rate from 12 ± 5 min to 10 ± 4 min. RT-related side effects did not interfere with participation in MT sessions.

Conclusion: In our study cohort of radiooncology patients, weekly MT sessions improved defined physical parameters as well as pain, physical comfort, and respiratory comfort. Establishing MT in the routine clinical setting should be more readily considered to further improve patient outcomes.

Citing Articles

The Role of Music in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Comparative Analysis of Neuroscientific Research, Indigenous Entheogenic Ritual, and Contemporary Care Models.

Efthimiou A, Cardinale A, Kepa A Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle). 2025; 2(4):221-233.

PMID: 40051482 PMC: 11658384. DOI: 10.1089/psymed.2023.0058.

Impact of COVID-19 on Quality of Life in Long-Term Advanced Rectal Cancer Survivors.

Blasko D, Schweizer C, Fitz T, Schroter C, Sorgel C, Kallies A Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(14).

PMID: 37510423 PMC: 10379628. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11141981.

What Ancient Egyptian Medicine Can Teach Us.

Elsayad K JCO Glob Oncol. 2023; 9:e2300146.

PMID: 37348032 PMC: 10497278. DOI: 10.1200/GO.23.00146.

References

McConnell T, Graham-Wisener L, Regan J, McKeown M, Kirkwood J, Hughes N . Evaluation of the effectiveness of music therapy in improving the quality of life of palliative care patients: a randomised controlled pilot and feasibility study. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2016; 2:70. PMC: 5154028. DOI: 10.1186/s40814-016-0111-x. View

Preissler P, Kordovan S, Ullrich A, Bokemeyer C, Oechsle K . Favored subjects and psychosocial needs in music therapy in terminally ill cancer patients: a content analysis. BMC Palliat Care. 2016; 15:48. PMC: 4866407. DOI: 10.1186/s12904-016-0122-7. View

Demmer C . A survey of complementary therapy services provided by hospices. J Palliat Med. 2004; 7(4):510-6. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2004.7.510. View

Hilliard R . The effects of music therapy on the quality and length of life of people diagnosed with terminal cancer. J Music Ther. 2003; 40(2):113-37. DOI: 10.1093/jmt/40.2.113. View

Horne-Thompson A, Grocke D . The effect of music therapy on anxiety in patients who are terminally ill. J Palliat Med. 2008; 11(4):582-90. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2007.0193. View

Greenlee H, DuPont-Reyes M, Balneaves L, Carlson L, Cohen M, Deng G . Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA Cancer J Clin. 2017; 67(3):194-232. PMC: 5892208. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21397. View

Bradt J, Dileo C, Myers-Coffman K, Biondo J . Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in people with cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021; 10:CD006911. PMC: 8510511. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub4. View

Rossetti A, Loewy J . The Music 'Question' in Research and Practice. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021; 109(3):675-677. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.11.025. View

Dileo C . Effects of music and music therapy on medical patients: a meta-analysis of the research and implications for the future. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2009; 4(2):67-70. DOI: 10.2310/7200.2006.002. View

10.

Stanczyk M . Music therapy in supportive cancer care. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2013; 16(5):170-2. PMC: 3863265. DOI: 10.1016/j.rpor.2011.04.005. View

11.

Carlson L, Waller A, Groff S, Giese-Davis J, Bultz B . What goes up does not always come down: patterns of distress, physical and psychosocial morbidity in people with cancer over a one year period. Psychooncology. 2011; 22(1):168-76. DOI: 10.1002/pon.2068. View

12.

Okuyama T, Kizawa Y, Morita T, Kinoshita H, Uchida M, Shimada A . Current Status of Distress Screening in Designated Cancer Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Survey in Japan. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2016; 14(9):1098-104. DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2016.0119. View

13.

Yang Y, Liu L, Wang Y, Wu H, Yang X, Wang J . The prevalence of depression and anxiety among Chinese adults with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer. 2013; 13:393. PMC: 3765872. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-393. View

14.

Meggiolaro E, Berardi M, Andritsch E, Nanni M, Sirgo A, Samori E . Cancer patients' emotional distress, coping styles and perception of doctor-patient interaction in European cancer settings. Palliat Support Care. 2015; 14(3):204-11. DOI: 10.1017/S1478951515000760. View

15.

Stiegelis H, Ranchor A, Sanderman R . Psychological functioning in cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Patient Educ Couns. 2004; 52(2):131-41. DOI: 10.1016/s0738-3991(03)00021-1. View

16.

Piroth M, Krug D, Feyer P, Baumann R, Combs S, Duma M . Oligometastasis in breast cancer-current status and treatment options from a radiation oncology perspective. Strahlenther Onkol. 2022; 198(7):601-611. PMC: 9217902. DOI: 10.1007/s00066-022-01938-x. View

17.

Voigtmann K, Kollner V, Einsle F, Alheit H, Joraschky P, Herrmann T . Emotional state of patients in radiotherapy and how they deal with their disorder. Strahlenther Onkol. 2010; 186(4):229-35. DOI: 10.1007/s00066-010-2109-2. View

18.

Janda M, Newman B, Obermair A, Woelfl H, Trimmel M, Schroeckmayr H . Impaired quality of life in patients commencing radiotherapy for cancer. Strahlenther Onkol. 2004; 180(2):78-83. DOI: 10.1007/s00066-004-1160-2. View

19.

Korner P, Ehrmann K, Hartmannsgruber J, Metz M, Steigerwald S, Flentje M . Patient-reported symptoms during radiotherapy : Clinically relevant symptom burden in patients treated with palliative and curative intent. Strahlenther Onkol. 2017; 193(7):570-577. DOI: 10.1007/s00066-017-1146-5. View

20.

Sehlen S, Hollenhorst H, Schymura B, Herschbach P, Aydemir U, Firsching M . Psychosocial stress in cancer patients during and after radiotherapy. Strahlenther Onkol. 2003; 179(3):175-80. DOI: 10.1007/s00066-003-1018-z. View