The Effect of Music on Pain in Adult Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Lafferty, Tanner
Area of Honors:
Nursing
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Nikki Hill, Thesis Supervisor
Cara L Exten, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
oncology
music
pain relief
cancer pain
pain
music therapy
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the current literature on music’s effect on pain in adult patients with cancer. From the information compiled in this review, potential clinical implications and future avenues for research can be made clear. METHODS: A review of literature published after 2000 was conducted using two databases: PubMed and CINAHL. The following terms were used: (cancer OR oncology) AND (music) AND (pain OR cancer pain). Across both databases and searches, 193 articles were identified. After removing any articles that were not randomized controlled trials, screening titles and abstracts, and screening full text articles, 10 articles met criteria for inclusion in the review. RESULTS: The articles identified provided data to be reviewed. Various music interventions have the potential to reduce pain in adult patients with cancer. There were three main types of music interventions investigated: active music, passive music, and music therapy. Both the music therapy interventions (3 studies) and active music interventions (5 studies) found mixed results, while passive music interventions (2 studies) provided significant pain reduction in adult patients with cancer. Five studies investigated short term effects of music on pain and all five found a statistically significant reduction in pain, while the five studies that investigated long term effects included three that provided significant pain reduction, and two that provided no significant reduction in pain. DISCUSSION: There is preliminary evidence that music has the potential to be an effective adjunctive pain reduction tool in adult patients with cancer. More research needs to be conducted on which music interventions, given over what duration and consistency, can provide the most effective pain relief in this population.