Music Therapy for the Cancer Patient
Use a Structured Music Therapy Session or Listen to Music of Your Choice During Chemotherapy
Music therapy is the active or passive use of music to promote healing and a sense of well-being. Music therapists help patients to both hear music and make music to promote their mental and physical health. It is used in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers to help people deal with pain, depression, anxiety, stress, nausea, and sleep problems.
How is it Done?
A simple, unstructured form of music therapy is listening to music during chemotherapy to help the patient relax and pass the time. However, music therapy does not consist only of listening to music. A music therapist may help a patient analyze song lyrics, improvise instrumental music, or even write songs. Music therapists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. The types of music used in therapy depend on your therapy needs and treatment goals, not necessarily on your personal musical tastes. Therapy sessions vary in length and overall number, depending on your needs and circumstances.
Does it Work?
Research has shown that music can help calm the patient during medical procedures, promote sleep and relaxation, and reduce pain and side effects of treatment. Music therapy may be a good complement to medical treatment but should not be used in place of the highly effective medications that treat nausea or pain.
Is it Safe?
Music therapy is a safe complementary therapy. A few people may become more anxious when trying to relax to music. If this happens, you may want to choose another relaxation technique. It's important to remember that the music the patient chooses for therapeutic purposes will remind them of that experience. So, it is best to avoid favorite music or music likely to be heard in public. Relaxation or background ambient music might be a better choice.
Practitioner Qualifications
There are nearly 4,000 certified music therapists in the United States. These therapists participate in a recertification program to keep their knowledge up to date. Ask for a referral from your health care practitioner or contact theAmerican Music Therapy Association.
Cost in Time and Money
Music therapy can be an inexpensive self-help method or can be more expensive formal sessions with a music therapist. The number and length of therapy sessions with a music therapist will vary depending on your need. Rates for sessions with a professional therapist range from $40 to $120 an hour, depending on what is done during the session. In-patient music therapy sessions in a hospital or rehabilitation setting that have been prescribed by a doctor may be covered by insurance. Outpatient sessions are rarely covered.
Published by Susan Brink
HealthMark Multimedia develops award-winning health-related content solutions for patients and healthcare organizations. HealthMark content is used by patients in making treatment and self-care decisions. View profile
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- Music therapy is the active or passive use of music to promote healing and a sense of well-being.
- Music can promote sleep and relaxation, and reduce pain and side effects of treatment.
- Music can help calm the patient during medical procedures.