title: Expanding perspective on music therapy for symptom management in cancer care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptom management is a frequently researched treatment topic in music therapy and cancer care. Representations in the literature of music interventions for symptom management, however, have often overlooked the human experiences shaping those symptoms. This may result in music therapy being perceived as a linear intervention process that does not take into account underlying experiences that contribute to symptom experiences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored patient experiences underlying symptoms and symptom management in cancer care, and examined the role of music therapy in that clinical process.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study analyzed semi-structured, open-ended exit interviews obtained from 30 participants during a randomized controlled trial investigating the differential impact of music therapy versus music medicine interventions on symptom management in participants with cancer. Interviews were conducted by a research assistant not involved with the clinical interventions. Exit interview transcripts for 30 participants were analyzed using an inductive, latent, constructivist method of thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes-Relaxation, Therapeutic relationship, and Intrapersonal relating-capture elements of the music therapy process that (a) modified participants' experiences of adjustments in their symptoms and (b) highlighted the depth of human experience shaping their symptoms. These underlying human experiences naturally emerged in the therapeutic setting, requiring the music therapist's clinical expertise for appropriate support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptom management extends beyond fluctuation in levels and intensity of a surface-level symptom to incorporate deeper lived experiences. The authors provide recommendations for clinical work, entry-level training as related to symptom management, implications for evidence-based practice in music therapy, and methodology for future mixed methods research.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University np468@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: Noah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Potvin
authors.affiliation: Drexel University.
authors.forename: Joke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bradt
authors.affiliation: Drexel University.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kesslick
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012063:Relaxation; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: holistic; thematic analysis; therapeutic relationship