The Research Desk
Music therapy can reduce anxiety, stress, and pain in children and adolescents with cancer.
Mapping family involvement in music therapy for children and adolescents with cancer: a scoping review.
- Relationships
- Resilience
Boyde, C., Ehrenschneider, L., Brückner, J., Donisch, J., Siebenmorgen, M., Thomas, K., Hunger-Schoppe, C.
In plain language
This scoping review explores the role of family involvement in music therapy for children and adolescents with cancer, a group that often faces significant psychological and emotional challenges. Music therapy is recognized for its potential to aid in emotion regulation and communication, but the extent and nature of family participation in these interventions are not well understood. The review synthesizes findings from eighteen studies, highlighting a range of family roles from passive observation to active music-making alongside their children.
The research indicates that music therapy can help reduce anxiety, stress, and pain while improving mood, quality of life, and family interactions. Family involvement, whether through shared music experiences or more structured, therapist-guided activities, appears to enhance emotional connections and shared coping mechanisms. Despite these promising outcomes, the studies reviewed are diverse in their approaches and outcomes, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the best practices for involving families in music therapy.
Key findings
- Music therapy can reduce anxiety, stress, and pain in children and adolescents with cancer.
- Improvements in mood and quality of life were reported as outcomes of music therapy.
- Family interactions and emotional connectedness can be enhanced through shared music experiences.
- Family involvement ranged from observational roles to active participation in music-making.
- Methodological differences and small sample sizes limit the comparability of studies.
Why it matters
This research highlights the potential of music therapy to improve psychosocial well-being and strengthen family relationships for children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Such interventions can be a valuable tool for fostering emotional resilience and connectedness during challenging times.
Try this today
Families dealing with pediatric cancer might consider incorporating music therapy into their care routines to enhance emotional well-being and family bonds. Engaging in music-making activities together or participating in therapist-guided sessions could provide emotional support and improve quality of life.