Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the benefits of music therapy (MT) for children with cancer over the course of their treatment in an acute paediatric hospital setting in Singapore. Twenty-five children undergoing cancer treatment received MT sessions as part of a multidisciplinary team rehabilitation intervention from March 2017 to January 2020. A total of 37 individualised goals were developed by the music therapist for the cohort. Goals were scored via the Goal Attainment Scale at 3-month intervals up to 1 year. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the findings. The rate of goal achievement was 89.2% over 180 MT sessions (M = 7.20, SD = 6.45). Children diagnosed with brain tumours had the highest frequency of MT sessions (M = 9.11, SD = 7.79). Most of the goals targeted the regulation of mood and morale through music. There was a positive correlation found between goals and sessions (rs = 0.56, p = 0.004). Age of the children was not correlated with the number of sessions received (rs = −0.19, p = 0.354). MT has been found to be an accessible and effective intervention in addressing functional and emotional goals for children across all ages who are undergoing cancer treatment.
Highlights
The World Health Organization reported an approximation of 400,000 children being diagnosed with cancer every year [1]
We aim to examine the (a) profile of patients who were referred for Music therapy (MT) (b) frequency of accessing MT over a child’s cancer treatment (c) goals and objectives of MT services for children undergoing cancer treatment and (d) efficacy of MT based on goals achieved
Ninety-one children were recruited as part of the Psychosocial and Supportive Care Programme (PSCP), which includes psychology, dietetics and nutrition, and rehabilitation services to support all children undergoing cancer therapy at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore’s largest tertiary hospital catered to children
Summary
The World Health Organization reported an approximation of 400,000 children being diagnosed with cancer every year [1]. Music therapy (MT) has been an integral part of childhood cancer care since 1973 [2,3]. Literature on music therapy for childhood cancer care has remained scarce, with more information provided for music therapy in cancer care for adults [4]. MT is usually indicated as a complement to or integrated with conventional medical therapy in cancer care [5]. Non-pharmacological treatments for managing symptoms are preferred for children undergoing cancer treatment due to its low risk of side effects. MT is one such low-risk intervention that has increasingly been indicated in psycho-oncological support for its benefits in addressing symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, and pain [6]. The Association of Music Therapy (Singapore) defines the profession as follows: “Music therapy is the scientific use of music interventions within a therapeutic relationship towards observable or measurable functional, educational, rehabilitative or well-being outcomes by a credentialed professional [7].”
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