Music Therapy in Supportive Cancer Care.

There are many benefits of music therapy for cancer patients: interactive music therapy techniques (instrumental improvisation, vocals) and receptive music therapy techniques (listening to recorded or live music, music and imaginary) can be used to improve mood, reduce stress, pain, anxiety levels and improve relaxation. Music therapy is an effective form of cancer care support for patients during the treatment process. It can also be a basis for planning effective rehabilitation programs to improve physical and emotional well-being and quality of life.

Often experienced by cancer patients are also fears of death and recurrence of the disease, the problems associated with long-term and short-term effects of treatment, changes in personal relationships and economic issues. A cancer experience has profound consequences and presents an existential challenge for the patient and his family, as well as caring staff. The development of modern cancer care has brought openness to new trends of integration and holistic thinking. The idea that cancer patients benefit from musical expression and musical experiences has been supported by music therapy research. Music therapy not only helps patients cope with their negative emotions. It can also be used to serve patients in a complex way, because music is the most fundamental and unique form of art that affects people spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically. 

Music therapy can be defined in a variety of ways, but its purpose does not change. The main idea of practicing music therapy is to take advantage of therapeutic aspects of music. According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music Therapy uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of patients of all ages and levels. Music therapy interventions can be designed to promote well-being, manage stress, relieve pain, express feelings, improve memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation. Music has non-verbal, creative, structural and emotional qualities, which are used in therapeutic medicine, relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication and personal development.

Music therapy in oncology uses music in preventive, curative and palliative cancer care and is very useful for a wide variety of patients suffering from a large number of neoplasms. Although music therapy does not really affect the disease itself, it has a major impact on mood, and sometimes it can make a difference in how the patient deals with and feels about his illness. The effectiveness of music therapy for oncology patients has been documented in numerous descriptive and experimental studies. A number of publications have described the specific benefits of music therapy interventions. Music therapy in cancer care focuses on both physiological and psychological needs arising from the disease and side effects of cancer treatment. Many studies presented in the literature indicate that music therapy is primarily introduced to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and pain, chemo side effects, and radiation therapy. Other aspects influenced by music include relaxation, mood disorders, and quality of life.