Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Exploring the Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Music Therapy Intervention to Improve Anxiety and Stress in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer.

Journal of pain and symptom management
April 1, 2022
Robert Knoerl et al. (12 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the feasibility and impact of a mindfulness-based music therapy intervention on reducing anxiety and stress in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) undergoing cancer treatment.

Results Summary

The intervention significantly improved perceived stress but did not show significant changes in anxiety. Satisfaction and acceptability were highly rated.

Population

Adolescents and young adults (15-39 years old) receiving cancer treatment for at least eight weeks.

Effective Dosage

Four sessions of individual mindfulness-based music therapy over twelve weeks.

Duration

Twelve weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based music therapy intervention
decrease
perceived stress
AYAs receiving cancer treatment
median change: -4.0
significantly improved
#1
mindfulness-based music therapy intervention
decrease
anxiety
AYAs receiving cancer treatment
median change: -1.9
non-significant changes
#2
four-session mindfulness-based music therapy intervention
neutral
-
AYAs receiving chemotherapy
-
was feasible
#3
Abstract

CONTEXT: Adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with cancer experience significant psychological distress due to cancer treatment that can persist long after treatment. However, little is known regarding optimal interventions to support the psychosocial needs of AYAs with cancer. OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of this single arm, longitudinal, pilot study was to determine the feasibility of implementing a mindfulness-based music therapy intervention to improve anxiety and stress in AYAs receiving cancer treatment. METHODS: AYAs (15 - 39 years old) who were to receive cancer treatment for ≥ eight weeks were recruited from the pediatric, melanoma, sarcoma, breast, lymphoma, and leukemia oncology outpatient centers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The music therapy intervention included four sessions of individual mindfulness-based music therapy in-person or using Zoom over twelve weeks. Prior to-and after the intervention period, participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Anxiety 4a and Perceived Stress Scale. Changes in patient-reported outcomes are compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Over ∼14 months, 37 of 93 eligible AYAs were enrolled to the study (39.8% consent rate). Overall, 27 of 37 (73%) participants (Median age=32; 56.8% Female) completed at least two music therapy sessions and the baseline measures and end of study measures. Participation in the mindfulness-based music therapy sessions resulted in significant pre-to-posttest improvements in perceived stress (median change: -4.0, P = 0.013) and non-significant changes in anxiety (median change: -1.9, P = 0.20). Satisfaction and acceptability were highly rated. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of a four-session mindfulness-based music therapy intervention to AYAs receiving chemotherapy was feasible and significantly improved perceived stress. These preliminary findings should be confirmed in a randomized controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03709225.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdultAnxietyChildFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMindfulnessMusic TherapyPilot ProjectsSarcomaStress, PsychologicalYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations14
Citations/Year4.7
Relative Citation Ratio2.55
NIH Percentile81.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.39
Normalized Score0.61
Related Supplements
Exploring the Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Music Therapy Int... | Panacea Index