Adults facing cancer have an incredible amount of physical, emotional, and psychological stress as they work through treatment. Abbey Dvorak, a music therapist in the Department of Rehabilitation Therapies at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, recently received a grant to study the effects music therapy has in cancer support groups.
How is music therapy used with cancer patients currently?
Music therapy has been used in oncology settings for a number of years to meet the psychosocial needs of patients of all ages. Previous studies have indicated that participation in music therapy may reduce stress and anxiety, decrease pain and fatigue, elevate mood, increase expression of feelings, and enhance the overall quality of life for cancer patients and their families.
What will this grant look at or study with regard to music therapy and cancer patients and families?
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of music therapy support groups on things like mood, coping, social support, and quality of life of breast cancer patients and their caregivers. And the music therapy support groups allow participants to interact with others who are going through similar experiences and also allow opportunities for patients and their caregivers to learn new and different ways to support each other through a very difficult and stressful time in their life.
Who will be invited to participate in this study?
The participants will be women ages 20 to 75 who are currently diagnosed or had a reoccurrence of breast cancer within the last year. They may be undergoing treatment or had their last treatment appointment within six months of the first music therapy session. And, in addition, a caregiver—meaning their main support person who could be a family member or friend—will be asked to participate in the group with her.
How will patients and families be recruited?
Participants will be recruited in many different ways. Several nurses and doctors in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center are team members for this study and are helping with recruitment. And information about the study is also posted in the information packets given to breast cancer patients in the clinic. We’re also recruiting through newspapers, advertisements in Noon News, flyers posted around the hospital, and also by contacting other breast cancer support groups in the area. Cancer Information Services may also provide information regarding this study, or patients may contact me directly at 356-4718, or abbey-dvorak@uiowa.edu.
What will patients and their families be asked to do as part of the study?
Patients and caregivers will be asked to attend, first of the all the music therapy support groups, twice a week for six weeks; and they will be asked to fill out questionnaires to determine changes in their perceived mood, their ability to cope with their illness, their feelings regarding levels of social support, and their overall feelings about their quality of life. They’ll have the chance to experience several music therapy interventions, including different relaxation techniques with music; listening to and talking about music and topic areas; playing instruments designed so that anyone can play them and sound good; song writing; singing; moving; and creative arts with music. And people don’t have to have any musical training or feel like they have to be good musicians in order to participate in this. It’s set up so everyone may be successful.
How long will the study last?
We’ll meet twice a week for six weeks, with some participants waiting six weeks before starting the groups, while others will start right away.
At the end of the six-week sessions, what do you hope to learn with regard to music therapy, cancer patients, and their families?
Music therapy support groups have the potential to assist in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients and caregivers in a noninvasive way, and this study will extend and deepen the research in this area. But we hope to better understand these facts of participation in a music therapy group and how music may assist patients and caregivers in coping with cancer and enhancing their overall quality of life.
Again, you can contact me at the office at 319-356-4718 or abbey-dvorak@uiowa.edu. |
