Doro, C.A., Neto, J.Z., Cunha, R., & Doro, M.P. (2017). Music therapy improves the mood of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (controlled randomized study). Supportive Care in Cancer, 25, 1013–1018.
To examine the effect of music on patients undergoing HCT with the purpose of reducing social confinement in this group of patients
Patients were assigned to music and control groups by a throw of dice. Live music sessions with a therapist were done in the patient’s room twice weekly for 30 minutes each. Study assessments were done at the end of music therapy sessions.
PHASE OF CARE: Active anti-tumor treatment
RCT
Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and anxiety
Anxiety was lower in the music group after the first (p < 0.001) and last sessions (p = 0.002). Pain was lower after the first music session in the music group but, at study completion, there was no difference between groups in pain.
Music may help to alleviate anxiety associated with social isolation in patients undergoing HCT.
This study showed that music therapy may be helpful for patients undergoing HCT in terms of anxiety. This study has multiple design limitations. Music therapy is a low-risk intervention; however, it does require staff time of a music therapist. Further research regarding benefit of live music therapy versus listening to music would be helpful.