Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Reducing Pain, Stress, and Anxiety among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in a Day Care Unit: A Crossover Design Study

Abstract Background Cancer is a major global health concern, and chemotherapy remains one of the most commonly used treatment modalities for managing various types of cancer. Despite its therapeutic benefits, chemotherapy is often associated with several distressing physical and psychological symptoms, including pain, stress, and anxiety. These symptoms can significantly affect the overall well-being, treatment experience, and quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Conventional management of these symptoms primarily involves pharmacological approaches, which may not always provide complete relief and can sometimes lead to additional side effects. In recent years, complementary and non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy have gained increasing attention in oncology care for their potential to improve patient comfort and psychological well-being. Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing pain, stress, and anxiety among patients undergoing chemotherapy in a day care unit. Method A quantitative research approach with a one-group pre-test & post-test crossover design was adopted for the study. The research was conducted in the chemotherapy day care unit of Apollo Excelcare Hospital. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 patients receiving chemotherapy for more than two hours. Data were collected using standardized assessment tools including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for stress, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) for anxiety. During the second chemotherapy session, participants were asked to listen to music of their own choice through headphones for a duration of 20–30 minutes. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments were conducted to measure changes in pain, stress, and anxiety levels. Results The findings of the study demonstrated a significant reduction in the levels of pain, stress, and anxiety among patients following the music therapy intervention. The comparison of pre-test and post-test scores indicated that music therapy had a positive effect on improving the emotional and psychological well-being of chemotherapy patients. Conclusion The study concludes that music therapy is an effective, safe, and cost-effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain, stress, and anxiety among patients undergoing chemotherapy. Incorporating music therapy into routine oncology nursing practice may contribute to improved patient comfort and a more holistic approach to cancer care.