Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients
Updated Cochrane review (52 trials, n=3,731) found low-quality evidence that music therapy or music medicine reduces anxiety (including SMD −0.71 on non-STAI-S scales across 13 studies) and pain (SMD −0.91), with smaller signals for fatigue and vital signs; risk of bias was often high.
Scope
Music therapy (therapist-delivered) and music medicine (pre-recorded listening) RCTs/quasi-RCTs in cancer populations—oncology supportive care, not general-population mindfulness training.
Pooled psychological / symptom endpoints (abstract)
- Anxiety (non–STAI-S scales): SMD −0.71 (95% CI −0.98 to −0.43; 13 studies, 1,028 participants; low-quality evidence)
- Anxiety (STAI-S): average −8.54 units on a 20–80 scale (95% CI −12.04 to −5.05)
- Depression: SMD −0.40 (−0.74 to −0.06; very low–quality evidence)
- Pain: SMD −0.91 (−1.46 to −0.36; low-quality evidence)
- Fatigue: SMD −0.38 (−0.72 to −0.04)
Autonomic proxies
Small reductions in heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were reported; oxygen saturation unchanged on average.
Evidence hygiene
Most trials high risk of bias—treat magnitudes as directional literature summaries.
Publication
Bradt J, Dileo C, Magill L, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 15;(8):CD006911. PubMed PMID 27524661.
Outcomes
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.71d (Cohen's d)
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.91d (Cohen's d)