AbstractThis short communication was directed to provide an evidence-informed overview on the role of music therapy in cancer pain, through a literature update. There were one systematic review, five original studies on a total 321 patients, and one case report found, all of which reported low to moderate beneficial effect of music therapy.Music therapy offered a feasible and a viable adjunctive treatment option for reducing procedural and post-procedural pain in a range of cancer types, across a range of therapy settings. Although existing evidence is insufficient, definitive directional effect was demonstrated for music therapy in its effects not only on pain, but also on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in people with cancer pain.
Keywords: Music therapy; Alternative medicine; Paliative oncology; Cancer anesthesiology.