Live music intervention for cancer inpatients: The Music Givers format.


Author: Toccafondi A1, Bonacchi A1, Mambrini A2, Miccinesi G3, Prosseda R4, Cantore M2

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Centro Studi e Ricerca Synthesis,Florence,Italy.

<sup>2</sup>Department of Oncology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) 1,Massa Carrara,Tuscany,Italy.

<sup>3</sup>Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit,Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention,Florence,Italy.

<sup>4</sup>Donatori di Musica,Massa Carrara,Italy.
Conference/Journal: Palliat Support Care.
Date published: 2017 Mar 28
Other:
 Volume ID: 1-8   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1017/S1478951517000165. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 239  
    OBJECTIVE: The present study intended to evaluate the impact of a standardized format-called the "Music Givers," based on a single session of music intervention followed by a buffet-on the psychological burden and well-being of hospitalized cancer patients.



METHOD: The Distress Thermometer (DT), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and self-reported visual analogue scales (score range = 1-10) to assess pain, fatigue, and five areas of well-being (i.e., physical, psychological, relational, spiritual, and overall well-being) were administered to 242 cancer patients upon admission to and at discharge from the hospital. Among them, 103 were hospitalized during which time a live concert took place (intervention group), whereas 139 patients were hospitalized when it did not (control group).



RESULTS: Compared to the control group, patients in the intervention group demonstrated less distress at discharge according to the DT (adjusted estimate of difference = -0.8, p = 0.001), lower HADS-Anxiety (-1.7, p < 0.001) and HADS-Depression scores (-1.3, p = 0.001), and higher scores on all the well-being scales, with the exception of spiritual well-being. In addition, no between-group differences were found in terms of pain and fatigue scores at discharge.



SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The one-session format of the Music Givers intervention is an effective, standardized, easy-to-replicate, and low-cost intervention that reduces psychological burden and improves the well-being of hospitalized cancer patients. Listening to live music and the opportunity to establish better relationships between patients and staff could explain these results.



KEYWORDS: Anxiety; Cancer; Depression; Distress; Music intervention



PMID: 28347381  DOI: 10.1017/S1478951517000165