Fifteen-minute music intervention reduces pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients

Purpose: Oncology patients may respond to radiation treatment with anxiety expressed as stress, fear, depression, and frustration. This study aimed to investigate effects of music intervention on reducing pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with purposeful sampling was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology, at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Subjects were assigned into a music group (n=100) receiving 15min of music therapy prior to radiation and a control group (n=100) receiving 15min rest prior to radiation. Both groups were evaluated for pre- and post-test anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physiological indicators of anxiety were measured pre- and post-test. Results: Baseline State/Trait scores and vital signs were comparable between groups (P>0.05). Mean change in pre- and post-test State/Trait scores showed significant decreases from baseline to post-test in both groups (all P<0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between music therapy and control groups in mean change of State anxiety scores (mean decreases 7.19 and 1.04, respectively; P<0.001) and Trait anxiety scores (mean decreases 2.77 and 1.13, respectively; P=0.036). In vital signs, both groups had significant decreases in pre- and post-test heart rate and respiration rate (P<0.05). Astatistically significant difference in mean change of systolic pressure was found between music and control groups (-5.69±0.41mmHg vs.-0.67±1.29mmHg, respectively; P=0.009). Conclusions: Music therapy decreased State anxiety levels, Trait anxiety levels and systolic blood pressure in oncology patients who received the intervention prior to radiotherapy.