Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of familiar live music on the anxiety levels of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Fifty patients randomly selected were assigned to 2 groups: experimental (n=25) and control (n=25). Pre and posttests consisted of questionnaires and the recording of the patient’s heart rate and blood pressures. Subjects in the experimental group received 20 minutes of familiar live music during their chemotherapy treatment. Subjects in the control group received standard chemotherapy. It was assumed that those patients receiving music therapy intervention would: a) lower their anxiety levels; b) experience a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure; c) improve their levels of negative reactions including fatigue, worry, and fear; and d) improve their levels of positive reactions including comfort and relaxation. Results of the study showed statistically significant improvement for the experimental group on the measures of anxiety, fear, fatigue, relaxation, and diastolic blood pressure. No significant differences between groups were found for heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Descriptive values indicated that, on average, the experimental group was influenced positively by the music intervention, and participants improved their quality of life while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The overall results confirmed that music intervention behaved as a powerful independent variable and significantly decreased levels of anxiety, fear, and fatigue, and increased the levels of relaxation for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
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