Music Therapy on Cancer Patient: A Case Study

The present investigation evaluated the utility of music therapy on cancer patient who met diagnostic criteria of medical science. Music therapy, as an adjunct to traditional therapies and treatment for those with mental health needs, has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention. It can allow individuals to explore personal feelings, to make positive changes in mood and emotional states, to practice problem solving, and to develop the skills required for wellbeing. Empirical studies of the use of music with oncology patients have demonstrated that music can reduce anxiety, stress and physical symptoms, can help to manage pain, can encourage a reflective awareness of emotion, and can enhance communication and quality of life. The participant of the present study is a forty years old professional detected blood cancer in 2013 having severe depression.  The intervention was to use standard procedures of music therapy in order to design interventions that would be effective in reducing depression and stress of the individual. The treatment consisted of 10 sessions. The treatment was evaluated qualitatively by means of interviews with the participant and his family and quantitatively by means of repeated applications of depression scale. The results showed a decrease in the client’s depression, stress and an increase in pro social behavior. The client ultimately ceased from maximum depressive behavior and this outcome was sustained during his last two months in therapy.