Integrative Review: Effects of Music on Cancer Pain in Adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the literature for music's effect on adult cancer pain. .


METHODS
An electronic literature search from 1986-2014 was conducted to evaluate the effects of quantitative music among adults with cancer pain in settings including homes, hospitals, and palliative care units. Databases used were PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus.


METHODS
The study designs, methods, measures, outcomes, and limitations were evaluated independently by the primary author and verified by the second author. The primary outcome measure of interest was the effect of music in cancer pain.


RESULTS
Of 82 studies, 5 of them--totaling 248 participants--met eligibility criteria. Review of findings suggests a paucity of innovative approaches for using music to mitigate cancer pain among adults. Psychological outcomes, anxiety, depression, and mood were understudied. Advanced pain, multiple cancer types, and lack of racial diversity characterize the samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Modern treatments for cancer have improved survival rates; however, patients often experience tumor- and treatment-related pain. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods may minimize cancer pain. The use of music as an adjunct to pain medication requires additional studies, particularly on mechanisms of its effect on pain among diverse, large samples with multiple cancer pain types. A limitation of this review is the small number of available studies to date.


CONCLUSIONS
The evidence for music therapy in the management of pain is limited. Integrative methods using music may represent an important intervention that nurses may be able to suggest as an inexpensive, nontoxic, and readily available intervention for potentially minimizing cancer pain.
Rush University in Chicago.
AnnMarie
A
Keenan
Rush University in Chicago.
Joyce K
JK
Keithley
D006801:Humans; D009147:Music Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*
cancer pain; music therapy