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Cancer

Music Therapy Shows Promise in Improving Sleep and Emotional Wellbeing in Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Current research findings suggest that music therapy can be an effective adjunct treatment for improving sleep and reducing emotional distress in cancer patients suffering from cancer-related depression. A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry investigated the efficacy of a novel music therapy approach, called "five-element music therapy based on emotion classification," in patients with cancer-related depression. The study involved 120 patients who were randomly assigned to one of three music therapy groups: emotional classification music, traditional music, and no music. The results showed that both music therapy groups significantly improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to the no music group.

Key Takeaways:

  • The novel music therapy approach, "five-element music therapy based on emotion classification," demonstrated significant improvements in sleep quality and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer-related depression.
  • Both traditional music therapy and the novel approach showed similar efficacy in improving overall sleep quality and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
  • The novel approach, which involves matching music to a patient's subjective emotions, appeared to have a faster effect on improving sleep disorders, while traditional music therapy had a more stable curative effect.
  • Music therapy can be used as a clinical adjuvant treatment alongside conventional medical treatments for patients with cancer-related depression.
  • Personalized intervention programs can be selected according to patients' needs, and music therapy can be tailored to meet individual requirements.

Statistics:

  • 120 patients with cancer-related depression were involved in the study.
  • The study used a multi-group randomized controlled trial design.
  • The outcome index used in the study was the difference between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) on the 14th and 28th days and baseline.
  • The exploratory indexes used in the study were 5-HT, IL-1 b, IL-2, and TNF-a.
  • Both ECMG and TMG significantly improved the total score of PSQI, HAMD, and HAMA.

Sources:

  • China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
  • Yudong Sheng, Institute of Clinical Basic Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Wenjun Wang, Hongmei Xie, Jingtao Zhao, Yang Zhao, Rui Zhou, Nan Zhao, and Yu Wu
  • Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2025;16:1633673
  • doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1633673
  • https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html, identifier ChiCTR2200062181.

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