Listening to music on the way to the metro, on the way home, at work, and why not, while receiving chemotherapy. According to a review of 30 studies published in the ‘Cochrane Library’ (an institution dedicated to reviewing scientific evidence on various treatments and health measures), music therapy helps reduce anxiety in people with cancer and also has positive effects on humor, pain and quality of life.

The benefits of this complementary therapy can be used at any stage of the disease, not only during treatment. “This is a situation that, from diagnosis, greatly affects the mood of the person and also affects physical and social level,” write the authors of this analysis. In this sense, music therapy interventions have proven useful to “relieve some symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy”, such as nausea and vomiting.

After analyzing 30 studies with a total of 1,891 patients, “we observed also recorded small reductions in heart rate and blood,” says Joke Bradt, lead author of the review, the University of Philadelphia (USA). Moreover, it seems that also “gets slightly decrease the pain.” Carmen explains Ylamos, psychologist and director of the Foundation of Madrid Institute of Oncology (IMO), “according to research conducted so far, the music helps to release endorphins, neurotransmitters that mask the pain.”

Some studies point to specific improvements in fatigue or immunity, but no conclusive results about it. “There is a specific investigation which was published in 1993 indicating that listening to music for 15 minutes increases the blood levels of interleukin, which strengthens the immune system,” says Spanish specialist. There are also studies, he adds, to ensure that “improves circulation, digestive disorders and sleep (as the music increases levels of melatonin, involved in this process).”

“Back in the days of Pythagoras and Plato used music to induce emotional states in the patient with many jobs stress its benefits,” says Yelamos. What happens is that “most are small and it was necessary to conduct a systematic review of all there,” they said the researchers.

Given the evidence, “music is a good complement to the treatment of cancer,” the review authors, both experts selected by the patients as recorded on your mp3 to their favorite pieces. “What is not known is whether a style is more effective than another,” he added.

Music Therapy Workshops

“As in some European countries and is part EEEU music therapy treatment in these patients, in Spain this practice is not officially regulated,” says Carmen Yelamos. “If done in a timely manner, with some entities funded programs, and some hospitals also included this alternative, especially applied to children with cancer, as in the La Paz Hospital in Madrid in the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville and the Hospital de la Fe in Valencia. ”

As the IMO expert explains, “are usually 10 sessions and workshops are conducted in groups. You select the most appropriate musical pieces according to the aim pursued (to improve sleep, anxiety …), is explained in the previous state is to induce and after hearing the group talks about their feelings. ” According Yelamos, there is “an association of music therapists where you can form in this matter.”

The results are positive, has no side effects and being in a group, “patients are accompanied and understood, they are not alone,” says the psicooncóloga. However, although not always available these workshops, people can make their chemo treatments with your favorite music. “It helps them relax and distract them from negative thoughts, also helps them to disconnect from the environment,” proposes Yelamos.