Bradt, J., Dileo, C., Magill, L., & Teague, A. (2016). Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, CD006911.
STUDY PURPOSE: To assess and compare the effects of music therapy and music medicine interventions for psychological and physical outcomes in people with cancer
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
The standard mean difference for fatigue in the music intervention group was 0.38 (7 studies, 253 participants, p = 0.03). Anxiety was reduced with music (13 studies, 1,028 patients, mean difference = –8.54, p < 0.0001). Results also showed a positive effect for depression (7 studies, 723 participants, standard mean difference = –0.4, p = 0.02).
Music interventions also had a small to moderate beneficial effect on fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
Music therapy may have a small to moderate effect on fatigue, anxiety, and depression.