Music eases anxiety among cancer patients

Music may be useful as a complementary treatment for people with cancer as it eases their disease-related anxiety.

Researchers analysed evidence from 1,891 patients taking part in 30 trials. Thirteen trials used trained music therapists, while in the remaining 17 trials, patients listened to pre-recorded music.

The results showed that compared to standard treatments, music reduced anxiety considerably based on clinical anxiety scores.

“The evidence suggests that music interventions may be useful as a complementary treatment to people with cancer,” said Joke Bradt, researcher in Creative Arts Therapies at Drexel University, Philadelphia who led the study.

Some trials reported much larger beneficial effects than others. The results also suggest that music therapy may increase patients’ quality of life, according to a university statement.