Effect of Music on Pain and Anxiety in Palliative Cancer Patients

Summary

Background: Cancer patients receiving palliative care often endure a variety of distressing symptoms, most notably pain and anxiety. Evidence suggests that music offers a symptom-alleviating effect for these patients and can also influence their physiological parameters.

Aim: This investigation was structured as a quasi-experimental study utilizing a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. Its goal was to ascertain the influence of music on pain levels, anxiety states, and vital signs among cancer patients admitted to a palliative care facility.

Methods: Data collection relied on the Patient Demographic Form, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a Physiological Parameter Monitoring Form. The intervention group was exposed to relaxing instrumental Turkish music in the maqams of Hicaz and Buselik for a single 30-minute session using MP3 players and headphones, whereas the control group was instructed to observe 30 minutes of bed rest without any other activity. Measurements were taken at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 30-minute intervention period between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM following the patient's morning analgesic dose.

Conditions

• Cancer
• Cancer Pain
• Palliative Care
• Anxiety
• Music Therapy

Interventions

OTHER

Music Application

Before the single-session intervention, the researcher administered the Patient Description Form, STAI, and VAS, and recorded baseline vital signs (Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate, Respiratory Rate, Body Temperature, SpO2). The intervention was scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. following the patient's morning analgesic dose. Participants rested comfortably for 30 minutes while listening to music using an MP3 player and headphones. Headphones were used to enhance focus and minimize external noise, with separate devices used for each patient to adhere to infection control standards. Immediately post-intervention (second follow-up), VAS, State Anxiety Inventory, and vital signs were re-measured and recorded.

OTHER

Procedures for the Control Group

The control group followed the same two-phase data collection protocol as the intervention group (first follow-up). After baseline data collection, the control group was instructed to rest quietly in bed for 30 minutes without any other activity. Immediately after the rest period (second follow-up), the VAS, State Anxiety Inventory, and vital signs were measured and recorded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Pınar Tekinsoy Kartın · https://sbf.erciyes.edu.tr/

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-02-01

Primary Completion

2022-06-01

Completion

2022-06-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations