Chen, L., Wang, T., Shih, Y., & Wu, L.J. (2013). Fifteen-minute music intervention reduces pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17, 436–441.

To evaluate the effect of 15 minutes of music on anxiety prior to receiving radiation therapy

Participants were randomly assigned to control or music group. Both took pretests using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and filled out demographic questionnaires, and vital signs were obtained. The intervention group received 15 minutes of self-selected music with similar tempo from a provided list. Patients were able to select which day they received intervention, select music that was paced at 60-80 beats/min. Postintervention data were obtained from both groups.

• N = 200  
• MEAN AGE =  55.06 (SD = 13.5); 55.66 (SD = 11.41)
• MALES: 64%; 57%, FEMALES: 36%; 43%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Head and neck, gynecologic, breast, digestive tract, lung, and prostate cancers
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Literate, all tumor stages, patients blinded to assignment

• SITE: Single site  
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient  
• LOCATION: Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

• Single blind RCT

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
• Personal demographics
• Vital signs

STAI scores decreased significantly in both groups, but decreased more in intervention group and was statistically significantly lower in the intervention group (decline of 7.19 with intervention, 1.04 decline in control; p < .001). Both groups had significant decrease in heart rate and resting rate (pre- and postintervention). Music group had statistically significant difference in mean change of systolic blood pressure.

Anxiety levels and systolic blood pressure may decrease when music therapy intervention is provided before radiation therapy treatment.

• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)  
• Risk of bias (sample characteristics)
• Findings not generalizable
• Other limitations/explanation: Cancer types and stages were varied. Music was organized randomly without any rationale except for constant tempo, and researchers allowed participants to choose their own music. Random assignment was simple random sampling.

A choice of music therapy provided at radiation treatment centers may help to reduce anxiety that is caused by treatment and provide a way for the patient to relax at the treatment center and at home.