title: Fifteen-minute music intervention reduces pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oncology patients may respond to radiation treatment with anxiety expressed as stress, fear, depression, and frustration. This study aimed to investigate effects of music intervention on reducing pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental study with purposeful sampling was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology, at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Subjects were assigned into a music group (n = 100) receiving 15 min of music therapy prior to radiation and a control group (n = 100) receiving 15 min rest prior to radiation. Both groups were evaluated for pre- and post-test anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physiological indicators of anxiety were measured pre- and post-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline State/Trait scores and vital signs were comparable between groups (P > 0.05). Mean change in pre- and post-test State/Trait scores showed significant decreases from baseline to post-test in both groups (all P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between music therapy and control groups in mean change of State anxiety scores (mean decreases 7.19 and 1.04, respectively; P < 0.001) and Trait anxiety scores (mean decreases 2.77 and 1.13, respectively; P = 0.036). In vital signs, both groups had significant decreases in pre- and post-test heart rate and respiration rate (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference in mean change of systolic pressure was found between music and control groups (-5.69 ± 0.41 mmHg vs. -0.67 ± 1.29 mmHg, respectively; P = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Music therapy decreased State anxiety levels, Trait anxiety levels and systolic blood pressure in oncology patients who received the intervention prior to radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Lee-Chen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tze-Fang
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Nuo
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Le-Jung
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000379:methods; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome