Effectiveness of music therapy on biophysiological and psychological outcomes during chemotherapy among patients with cancer- A pilot study

The diagnosis and the treatment for cancer are significant stressors for the patients. Chemotherapy is often considered the most stressful of the treatment modalities primarily as a result of the myriad of side effects that the patient has to endure. The diagnosis can affect the patient's physical, psychological well being. They experience a wide range of symptoms and side effects due to different procedures and treatment options. The role of complementary and alternative therapies has increased dramatically. One complementary therapy that can be of value to decrease psychosocial distress in the oncology setting is music therapy. The music as therapy is now practiced worldwide in various health care settings and medical departments, including geriatric medicine, gynecology, general surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology and palliative care, adult and child psychiatry, drug abuse and rehabilitation. Music has improved the mood and decreased anxiety and pain associated with surgery and medical procedures. In chronic conditions, music is shown to improve quality of life during end-of-life care. With the above mentioned background, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of music therapy on biophysiological and psychological parameters of patients with cancer undergoing for the first chemotherapy in the oncology centre.