Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Thesis Advisor
Patricia Harris, PhD, RN, CNS
Abstract
Background: Patients undergoing chemotherapy experience undesirable physical and psychological effects in which medications are the preferred method of management. However, standard medications are often insufficient for patients. Failure to attend to the adverse effects can lead to worsening of the patient’s cancer diagnosis and quality of life. The importance of managing chemotherapy symptoms creates an urgent need to implement an approach that is noninvasive, non-pharmacological, and one that still meets the physical and psychological needs of patients receiving chemotherapy.
Objective: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the effects of music therapy (MT) on physical and psychological symptoms induced by chemotherapy and to better understand adult cancer-patient experiences about the role of music interventions on chemotherapy symptoms.
Literature Review: Primary articles were recruited from Google Scholar, PubMed, and CINAHL databases. Studies found MT to be effective in decreasing pain and anxiety and minimizing the severity of nausea/vomiting.
Proposal: After a review of research literature, a proposal for further study will utilize a mixed methods design with 33 participants admitted as inpatients to receive chemotherapy. Participants will be divided into three groups: Group one will partake in a session of MT where they will create music under the guidance of a music therapist, group two will listen to pre-recorded music, and group three will serve as the control. Before and after the session, participants will report their pain, anxiety, and nausea/vomiting levels. Within 24 hours of therapy, participants will join in an interview, in which they will share their experiences about the music intervention.
Clinical Significance: The findings of this literature review and the objective of the proposed study are critical in the field of oncology nursing because they represent a unique approach that has the potential to bring comfort to patients who experience undesirable symptoms from chemotherapy.