Chu-Hui-Lin Chi, G., Young, A., McFarlane, J., Watson, M., Coleman, R.L., Eifel, P.J., . . . Richardson, M. (2015). Effects of music relaxation video on pain and anxiety for women with gynaecological cancer receiving intracavitary brachytherapy: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Research in Nursing, 20, 129–144. 

To determine the effect of watching a music relaxation video on pain and anxiety in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer who were undergoing intra-cavitary brachytherapy

A music relaxation video was played four times for a total of 120 minutes during the first 44 hours of brachytherapy treatment, with monitoring of pain scores, opioid consumption, and perceived anxiety scores compared to usual nursing care during the same time period.

• N = 60  
• MEAN AGE = 46 years (range = 23-70 years)
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Gynecological cancer, cervix, uterus. 
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: 51% white women, 67% married, 55% high school as the highest degree

• SITE: Single site    
• SETTING TYPE: Inpatient    
• LOCATION: Academic cancer care center in the southwestern United States

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

• Randomized, controlled trial

• Pain severity was measured with a visual rating scale
• Opioid consumption was measured with a PCA pump
• Anxiety was measured using the Strat-Trait Anxiety Inventory

Women in the intervention group reported less pain. There was no difference in levels of opioid consumption between the intervention and control groups. Participants in the music viewing group indicated significantly reduced anxiety levels in analysis (p = 0.001).

Nurses and other medical personnel should consider using music relaxation videos to help reduce pain and anxiety during intracavitary brachytherapy and other procedures that may be uncomfortable.  The intervention is non-invasive, with beneficial effects.

• Small sample (less than 100 participants)
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
• Other limitations/explanation: Baseline pain was higher in the experimental group

This non-invasive intervention could be nurse-driven without a physician’s order.  Women undergoing brachytherapy must lie still in a shielded isolation room for 2-3 days with limitations on visitors, resulting in physical and psychological discomforts, including pain. This study shows that pain experiences may be lessened with music relaxation videos.