Listening to music eases pain and other symptoms in patients with breast cancer

AEuropean Journal of Cancer Carestudy found that listening to music at home reduced the severity of symptoms, pain intensity, and fatigue experienced by patients with breast cancer.

For the study, 60 participants listened to music in five 30-minute sessions per week. After 6, 12, and 24 weeks, themusic therapyreduced symptom severity, pain intensity, and overall fatigue. Furthermore, it instantaneously reduced physical and mental fatigue.

"Using music can support patients' physical and psychological well-being," said senior author Kuei-Ru Chou, Ph.D., RN, of Taipei Medical University, in Taiwan. The authors recommend that home-based music interventions be administered to patients withbreast cancerto reduce their negative thoughts associated with cancer.