Attached
Introduction: Pain is the commonest and most distressing symptom
suffered by cancer patients. It is closely associated with anxiety and
depression and is also frequently notalleviated with
pharmacotherapy alone. Although a myriad of therapeutic effects of
music have been known for years,they have not been studied on Sri
Lankan cancer patients.
Objective: To assess the short-term effect of tranquilizing classical
music on pain, anxiety and mood modulation in cancer patients.
Methods: A randomized crossover clinical trial was carried out in
institutionalized cancer patients (n= 23). Statistical comparison of
subjective (Visual Analogue Scale) values for pain, anxiety and mood
as well as objective measurements of sympathetic over-activity (vital
parameters and pupillary size) which are closely correlated to pain
was carried out on two consecutive days without and with
administration of music. Effect was assessed immediately following
administration.
Results:Statistically significant improvements were noted in all three
subjective parameters; namely pain, anxiety and mood; (p < 0.05)
with administration of music when compared to regular
symptomatic medication alone. There have also been statistically
significant reductions in surrogate endpoints; the pupillary size and
diastolic arterial pressure (p < 0.05). Declines noted in the heart rate
and the systolic blood pressure were insignificant.
Conclusion:Tranquilizing classical music shows a significant effect as
an adjunct to on-going therapies in the management of pain, anxiety
and low mood in cancer patients. Further studies are required to
determine the duration that these favourable effects last.
