Exploring the role of music listening in cancer care: A systematic literature review
Main Article Content
Keywords
Music listening, cancer care, systematic literature review, music therapy
Abstract
Cancer is a leading global health concern, affecting not only physical health but also psychological, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. Music listening has been explored as a supportive, non-pharmacological intervention within oncology care. The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine the role of music listening in cancer care, focusing on (1) the types of music listening interventions used and (2) the roles and outcomes of such interventions for individuals with cancer. The methods used were a systematic literature review. Literature was systematically searched across Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale (RILM), ScienceDirect, Music Periodicals Database, PsycINFO, Sage Journals, Google Scholar, and PubMed (2000–2024). Inclusion criteria: published literature, peer-reviewed studies involving individuals with cancer and interventions centred on music listening (e.g., pre-recorded, live, guided imagery, and music). Exclusion criteria: non-English, pre-2000, systematic reviews, unpublished literature, meta-analyses, and studies not isolating music listening. Thirteen studies met the criteria. Data were extracted and analysed thematically. Guided imagery and music (GIM), pre-recorded music (e.g., CD/MP3), live music listening, receptive music therapy, music-and-imagery, and group listening session interventions were conducted that ranged from 12 minutes to two hours, most commonly 30 minutes. Intervention outcomes clustered into five themes: (1) symptom reduction (pain, anxiety, depression, nausea), (2) benefits of music listening as a non-pharmacological intervention, (3) coping and enhancement of quality of life, (4) cognitive benefits (memory, distraction from intrusive thoughts, and (5) connectedness (intrapersonal, interpersonal, transpersonal). The conclusions drawn from the results are that music listening is a safe, feasible, cost-effective, and non-invasive adjunct to oncology care. Despite promising results, limitations such as small sample sizes and heterogeneity of study design restrict generalisability. Future research should utilise larger, more rigorous trials, explore digital/streaming music interventions, and evaluate long-term effects.
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References
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Bilgiç, Ş., & Acaroğlu, R. (2017). Effects of listening to music on the comfort of chemotherapy patients. Applied Nursing Research, 35, 28–33.
Bist, D., Shuttleworth, M., Smith, L., Smith, P., & Walker-Gleaves, C. (2024). Music and spirituality: An auto-ethnographic study of how five individuals used music to enrich their soul. Religions, 15(7), 858. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15070858
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Bradt, J., Dileo, C., Magill, L., & Teague, A. (2016). Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub3
Bradt, J., Potvin, N., Kesslick, A., Shim, M., Radl, D., Schriver, E., Gracely, E. J., & Komarnicky-Kocher, L. T. (2015). The impact of music therapy versus music medicine on psychological outcomes and pain in cancer patients: A mixed methods study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 23(5), 1261–1271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2478-7
Bulfone, T., Quattrin, R., Zanotti, R., Regattin, L., & Brusaferro, S. (2009). Effectiveness of music therapy for anxiety reduction in women with breast cancer in chemotherapy treatment. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 13(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181aeceee
Burns, D. S., Sledge, R. B., Fuller, L. A., Daggy, J. K., & Monahan, P. O. (2018). Differences between supportive music and imagery and music listening during outpatient chemotherapy. Journal of Music Therapy, 55(2), 198–219. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thy001
Cassileth, B. R., & Deng, G. (2004). Complementary and alternative therapies for cancer. The Oncologist, 9(1), 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1634/theoncologist.9-1-80
Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2017). Thematic analysis. Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(3), 297–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1262613
Da Silva Santa, I. N., Schveitzer, M. C., Dos Santos, M. L. B. M., Ghelman, R., & Odone Filho, V. (2021). Music interventions in pediatric oncology: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 59, 102725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102725
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Elwafi, D., & Wheeler, B. L. (2016). Listening to music as part of treatment for breast cancer: A qualitative content analysis of patients’ listening logs. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 25(1), 22–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2015.12.004
Evers, S., & Suhr, B. (2000). Changes of the neurotransmitter serotonin but not of hormones during short time music perception. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 250(3), 144–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004060070031
Giordano, F., Rutigliano, C., Ugolini, C., Iacona, E., Ronconi, L., & Raguseo, C. (2024). Effect of music therapy on chemotherapy anticipatory symptoms in adolescents: A mixed methods study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 74(2), 271–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.04.019
Gimeno, M. M. (2010). The effect of music and imagery to induce relaxation and reduce nausea and emesis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Music and Medicine, 2(3), 174–181. https://doi.org/10.1177/1943862110374622
Greenberg, D., Earle, C., Fang, C.-H., Eldar-Lissai, A., & Neumann, P. J. (2010). When is cancer care cost-effective? A systematic overview of cost-utility analyses in oncology. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 102(2), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djp472
Henneghan, A. M., Harrison, T. M., & Kovach, C. R. (2020). A randomized control trial of meditation compared to music listening to improve cognitive function for breast cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(7), 3273–3281.
Higgins, J. P., & Green, S. (2011). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. John Wiley & Sons.
Hinz, A., Weis, J., Brähler, E., Härter, M., Geue, K., & Ernst, J. (2020). Fatigue in cancer patients: Comparison with the general population and prognostic factors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(9), 4517–4526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05260-8
Ho, K. Y., Lam, K. K. W., Xia, W., Liu, Q., Chiu, S. Y., Chan, G. C. F., & Li, W. H. C. (2023). Systematic review of the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine on nausea and vomiting in children with cancer. Cancer Nursing, 48(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000001239
Hong, Q. N., Pluye, P., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., Dagenais, P., Gagnon, M.-P., Griffiths, F., Nicolau, B., O’Cathain, A., Rousseau, M.-C., & Vedel, I. (2019). Improving the content validity of the mixed methods appraisal tool: A modified e-Delphi study. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 111, 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.03.008
Hughes, L., Taylor, R. M., Beckett, A. E., Lindner, O. C., Martin, A., McCulloch, J., Morgan, S., Soanes, L., Uddin, R., Stark, D. P., & Bensadoun, R. J. (2024). The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis: A qualitative study of adolescent and young adult experience. Cancers, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071332
Hui, D. (2014). Review of integrative oncology: An evidence-based clinical guide. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 64(6), 451–452.
Joseph, D. (2014). Spirituality, music, and well-being: Sharing insights from an Australian setting. The International Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society, 4(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v04i02/41098
Kiernan, E. A., & Vallerand, A. H. (2023). Mitigation of chemotherapy-induced nausea using adjunct music listening: A pilot study. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 27(1), 65–72.
Lagattolla, F., Ranieri, R., & Salerno, G. (2023). Receptive music therapy versus group music therapy with breast cancer patients hospitalised for surgery. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 82, 101949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-07624-7
Li, Y., Dong, M., & Wang, R. (2013). Psychological distress in cancer patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14(3), 1563–1567.
Lima, T. U., Moura, E. C. R., Oliveira, C. M. B., Leal, R. J. D. C., Nogueira Neto, J., Pereira, E. C., Nascimento, R. V. B., Oliveira, E. J. S. G., & Leal, P. D. C. (2020). Impact of a music intervention on quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized clinical trial. Integrative cancer therapies, 19, 1534735420938430. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735420938430
Loomba, R. S., Arora, R., Shah, P. H., Chandrasekar, S., & Molnar, J. (2018). Effect of music on anxiety, depression, and pain perception in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 19(12), 723–728. https://doi.org/10.2459/JCM.0000000000000713
Lorek, M., Bąk, D., Kwiecień-Jaguś, K., & Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska, W. (2023). The effect of music as a non-pharmacological intervention on the physiological, psychological, and social response of patients in an intensive care unit. Healthcare, 11(12), Article 1687. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121687
McFerran, K., & Grocke, D. E. (2022). Receptive music therapy: Techniques, clinical applications and new perspectives (2nd ed.). Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
McFerran, S. K., & Lotter, C. B. (2024). The psychology of music listening for health and well-being professionals. Palgrave Macmillan.
Moss, H. (2019). Music therapy, spirituality and transcendence. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 28(3), 212–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2018.1533573
Mou, Q., Wang, X., Xu, H., Liu, X., & Li, J. (2020). Effects of passive music therapy on anxiety and vital signs in lung cancer patients undergoing peripherally inserted central catheter placement procedure. Journal of Vascular Access, 21(6), 875–882. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729820908088
Nair, S., Simon, L., & Kroenke, K. (2016). Music therapy for chronic pain management. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 20(7), 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-016-0559-3
Nightingale, A. (2009). A guide to systematic literature reviews. Surgery (Oxford), 27(9), 381–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2009.07.005
Rani, L. I., & Bayu, S. (2021). Perception of cancer patients on chemotherapy side effects. Jurnal Riset Kesehatan, 10(1), 71–76. https://doi.org/10.31983/jrk.v10i1.6729.
Roberts, J., Horn, S., Aquino, E., & Amer, K. (2022). Music: A holistic approach to symptom management for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 12(6), 1. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v12n6p1
Ryan, J. L. (2010). Treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients. European Oncology, 6(2), 14. https://doi.org/10.17925/eoh.2010.06.02.14
Sano, M., & Fushimi, K. (2017). Association of palliative care consultation with reducing inpatient chemotherapy use in elderly patients with cancer in Japan: Analysis using a nationwide administrative database. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 34(7), 685–691. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909116650238.
Schäfer, T., Sedlmeier, P., Städtler, C., & Huron, D. (2013). The psychological functions of music listening. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 511. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00511
Singh, P., & Chaturvedi, A. (2015). Complementary and alternative medicine in cancer pain management: A systematic review. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 21(1), 105–115. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1075.150202
Souza, M. T. D., Silva, M. D. D., & Carvalho, R. D. (2010). Integrative review: What is it? How to do it? Einstein (São Paulo), 8, 102–106. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-45082010rw1134
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Feb 3, 2026
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Exploring the role of music listening in cancer care: A systematic literature review. (2026). South African Journal of Arts Therapies, 3(2), 26-45. https://doi.org/10.36615/je06za50
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How to Cite
Exploring the role of music listening in cancer care: A systematic literature review. (2026). South African Journal of Arts Therapies, 3(2), 26-45. https://doi.org/10.36615/je06za50
