Music and massage for patients undergoing chemotherapy infusion

Purpose: It has been found that the combination of music and therapeutic massage has positive effects on cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy infusion, therefore, this study evaluates the effects of music and therapeutic massage on pain, quality of life, and well-being of patients undergoing chemotherapy infusion. Method: A randomized, crossover study was conducted with patients over 18 years old with cancer, who were randomly allocated to either receive twenty minutes of therapeutic massage and music by a trained physical therapist in the first three chemotherapy sessions or in the last three. Patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire-30 for quality of life and the Subjective Well-Being Scale for well-being (EBES). Results: Participants (N=54) had better health-related quality of life (p=0.000* and p=0.002*) and improved well-being about life satisfaction (p=0.008* and p=0.000*) at the end of the study intervention. Patients who started the research receiving the intervention had a better index of positive affect and a decrease in fears and anxieties regarding the upcoming oncology treatment (p=0.001*). There were no differences in the reported pain between the groups. Conclusion: The association of music and therapeutic massage promoted an increase in the quality of life related to health and well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.