Music Therapy for Cancer Patients
May is the American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) Cancer Research Month. That’s a mouthful, but an important one. There are 16.9 million people in the U.S. “living with, through and beyond” a cancer diagnosis.
AACR fosters and supports research in cancer and related biomedical sciences and promotes and educates on new research findings. Some of that research involves the effects of music therapy on cancer patients, like this study that cited music therapy as effective in reducing fatigue related to cancer and symptoms of depression, and improved quality of life for women with breast or gynecological cancer undergoing radiotherapy.
That is just one example of the benefits music therapy can provide to oncology patients, one of my favorite populations to work with. Music therapy can be an integral part of continuous supportive cancer care, enhancing both medical treatments and rehabilitation.
Music therapy can help people with cancer to:
Improve mood
Decrease stress
Decrease pain
Decrease anxiety levels
Enhance relaxation
Improve physical and emotional well being
Improve quality of life
Music therapy for cancer patients can take an interactive form, like instrumental improvisation and singing, or use receptive techniques, such as listening to live or recorded music. And remember, patients don’t have to have any prior experience with or knowledge of music to participate in music therapy - it is accessible to all.
I have loved working with the Dempsey Center, York Hospital, Maine Medical Center, the Cancer Community Center, and Maine Children’s Cancer Program over these last ten years. It is so rewarding to help families of cancer patients connect through music, and see the healthcare staff have a moment of joy or relaxation during a procedure.
If you or a family member with a cancer diagnosis have questions or would like to learn more about what music therapy would look like for you, schedule a free intake call here.
Lastly, Maine Music & Health has moved! We are now located in Brunswick at the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center!