Keenan, A., & Keithley, J.K. (2015). Integrative review: Effects of music on cancer pain in adults. Oncology Nursing Forum, 42, E368–E675.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate published evidence regarding the effects of music on cancer-related pain
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Out of the five studies included, two showed significant differences in self-reported pain scores associated with the music intervention. Most studies were done outside of the United States, and in most studies, patients were offered a limited variety of prerecorded music for listening.
This review showed mixed results regarding the effects of listening to music on pain among patients with cancer in various phases of care.
This review did not add substantially to the body of evidence regarding the use of music for cancer-related pain. There are a number of more recent studies that have shown greater efficacy and are of higher quality than those reviewed here.