The effect of the therapeutic use of music on cancer-related pain

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the therapeutic use of music as an adjunct to scheduled analgesics in the patient with cancer-related pain. The major research questions were (1) To what extent can the therapeutic use of music decrease pain and improve mood?, and (2) To what extent is the therapeutic use of music perceived as distracting, relaxing, and improving the patient's sense of control over the pain? An experimental, crossover design with repeated measures was used. The independent variable, the therapeutic use of music, was operationalized by the use of 45-minute cassette recordings of relaxing music in seven categories. The subjects chose the type of music which was most preferable and relaxing. The control intervention consisted of a 45-minute tape with a low frequency 60-cycle hum. Baseline data were collected on all individuals for 3 days. Based on random assignment, subjects were then instructed to listen to the music or the hum twice daily for 3 days. After using the assigned intervention for 3 days, subjects then crossed over into the alternate group for the next 3 days. Finally, each subject returned to a follow-up baseline period. The dependent variables, pain and mood, were measured by visual analogue scales. The McGill Pain Questionnaire was used initially to obtain a baseline, multidimensional assessment of pain. A semistructured interview was used to obtain qualitative information on the effect of the intervention. The convenience sample included 15 adult oncology outpatients, 13 female and 2 male, ranging in age from 20 to 87. Selection criteria included (1) documented cancer-related pain, (2) an ability to speak English, (3) physical and mental status which would enable the individual to participate in the study, (4) no or minimal hearing dysfunction (based on self-rating), and (5) a scheduled (vs. prn) analgesic schedule. Results indicate that the music was perceived as relaxing and distracting, but did not always increase the patient's sense of control over the pain. The effect of the music on pain varied significantly by individual, with 75% having at least some response and 47% having a moderate or great response. Results of a MANOVA indicated a significant decrease in pain from using either the music or sound, but no effect on mood. Although the mean percent change in pain for music was nearly twice that for sound, the results did not significantly differ. The results support the use of music as an independent nursing intervention to help relieve pain.