Keenan, A., & Keithley, J.K. (2015). Integrative review: Effects of music on cancer pain in adults. Oncology Nursing Forum, 42, E368–E675.
DOI Link
Purpose
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate published evidence regarding the effects of music on cancer-related pain
Search Strategy
Literature Evaluated
Sample Characteristics
- FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 5
- TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 248
- SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 9–126 patients
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Results
Out of the five studies included, two showed significant differences in self-reported pain scores associated with the music intervention. Most studies were done outside of the United States, and in most studies, patients were offered a limited variety of prerecorded music for listening.
Conclusions
This review showed mixed results regarding the effects of listening to music on pain among patients with cancer in various phases of care.
Limitations
- There were few studies included.
- There was no evaluation of study quality.
- Three out of five studies were done prior to 2000.
Nursing Implications
This review did not add substantially to the body of evidence regarding the use of music for cancer-related pain. There are a number of more recent studies that have shown greater efficacy and are of higher quality than those reviewed here.