The effect of music therapy on anxiety in patients who are terminally ill

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The literature supporting the use of music therapy in palliative care is growing. However, the number of quantitative research studies investigating the use of music therapy in palliative care, and specifically anxiety, is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research project was to examine the effectiveness of a single music therapy session in reducing anxiety for terminally ill patients. DESIGN: A randomized-controlled design was implemented and the following hypotheses tested. There will be a significant difference between the experimental and control groups on anxiety levels as demonstrated by the anxiety measurement of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and heart ..