Comparison of depressive symptom outcomes in hospitalized adult cancer patients receiving music therapy or massage therapy Journal Article
| Authors: | Liou, K. T.; Lynch, K. A.; Nwodim, O.; Popkin, K.; Greene, J. S.; Atkinson, T. M.; Bradt, J.; Mao, J. J. |
| Article Title: | Comparison of depressive symptom outcomes in hospitalized adult cancer patients receiving music therapy or massage therapy |
| Abstract: | Context: Depressive symptoms are prevalent and associated with greater healthcare utilization among hospitalized adults with cancer. Music therapy and massage therapy are available at many National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers and recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology for depressive symptoms, but a paucity of studies have compared these two therapies. Objectives: We conducted a retrospective, multi-method program evaluation of single, first-time music therapy and massage therapy sessions delivered to hospitalized adults with cancer. Methods: The study was conducted at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center between February 2018 and October 2019. We assessed depressive symptoms with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) depression item. We also invited patients to provide free-text comments describing their treatment experience. Results: Among 1764 patients (61.2% women, 72.7% white), 350 received music therapy and 1414 received massage therapy; music therapy was associated with a 0.4 point greater reduction (95% 0.3 to 0.6, P < 0.001) in the ESAS depression score relative to massage therapy. When analyses were restricted to the 452 (25.6%) patients with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (ESAS score ≥ 4), music therapy was associated with a 1.2 point greater reduction (95% CI 0.7 to 1.7, P < 0.001) relative to massage therapy, a clinically meaningful difference. In free-text comments, music therapy was described as energizing, uplifting, and evocative, whereas massage therapy was described as calming and relaxing. Conclusion: Among hospitalized adult cancer patients, both music therapy and massage therapy were associated with reduced depressive symptoms, but music therapy was associated with a greater reduction than massage therapy. © 2021 |
| Keywords: | adolescent; adult; child; controlled study; aged; leukemia; major clinical study; cancer patient; comparative study; pancreas cancer; outcome assessment; multiple myeloma; oncology; retrospective study; bladder cancer; urogenital tract cancer; prostate cancer; depression; program evaluation; colon cancer; lymphoma; mesothelioma; hospital patient; stomach cancer; music therapy; integrative medicine; kidney cancer; esophagus cancer; testis cancer; massage; rectum cancer; mental health; small cell lung cancer; pharynx cancer; massage therapy; non small cell lung cancer; reiki; acupressure; human; male; female; article; numeric rating scale; minimal clinically important difference; edmonton symptom assessment system; myofascial release; shiatsu; swedish massage; trigger point therapy |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Pain and Symptom Management |
| Volume: | 63 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 0885-3924 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2022-02-01 |
| Start Page: | e155 |
| End Page: | e159 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.007 |
| PUBMED: | 34563626 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC8816855 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2022 -- Source: Scopus |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
Related MSK Work