Mindfulness-Based Music Therapy for Cancer Patients
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, according to a report from 2020 Global Cancer Statistics. The long-term survival of people with breast cancer has increased during the past ten years as a result of the adoption of new cancer treatments. On the other hand, women who survive breast cancer frequently experience mental and physical side effects, such as fatigue, discomfort, and psychological anxiety. The aforementioned difficulties in breast cancer survivors may have a detrimental impact on their overall health-related quality of life (QOL) and may have an impact on how well their treatments work.
The use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy by practitioners in clinical settings has grown in order to lessen the detrimental psychological consequences of cancer and its treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) components are coupled with mindfulness-based stress reduction. Studies have shown that MBCT is beneficial for reducing psychological distress in cancer patients.
The practice of mindfulness greatly enhances focus, and mindfulness programmes greatly lessen symptom discomfort in cancer patients. A qualified practitioner who has completed an approved music therapy programme uses clinical and evidence-based music interventions to achieve specific goals within a therapeutic relationship to practise music therapy.
Additionally, researchers clarify the function of music therapy in cancer care support for patients, staff, and families as well as provide evidence of its ability to lessen symptom distress. They also promote the patient factors that influence the effectiveness of music therapy for symptom distress.
Mindfulness-Based Music Therapy(MBMT) – Sessions
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Session 1: Non-Judging
Since listening to music is more common than playing an instrument for most people, it was decided to make it the initial MBMT activity. The musical selections included a variety of contrasting musical genres. The music listening activity supported the development of listening comprehension and musical evaluations while also introducing the mindfulness attitude of non-judging.
The patients were instructed to pay attention to any sentiments, bodily sensations, or emotions that surfaced during those occurrences, similar to the profound focus necessary for the music-listening activity.
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Session 2: New and Familiar Instruments
Playing new instruments and singing well-known songs were the main activities of the second session, which introduced the concept of a beginner’s mind, and a fundamental mindfulness attitude. Discovering the feel and sound of unfamiliar instruments was intended to evoke the sense of awe and pleasant surprise that characterises a beginner’s mindset. Participants handled the unique instruments, made sounds with them, and discussed their preferences, sensory reactions, and impressions of the event. The music therapist immediately presents the mindset of a beginner’s mind after the investigation of a unique instrument.
The music exercise and conversation functioned as a trial run to observe commonplace daily situations, events, the home, spouse, family, and/or friends in a novel or unusual perspective.
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Session 3: Instrument Playing and Suspending Judgement
The goal of this hard session is to counteract the harmful effects of “chemo-brain” through various activities. The session included playing a known melody by the number on the keyboard, playing simple harmonic changes on a xylophone, and copying and making simple rhythms on a huge paddle drum.
The exercises involving playing an instrument were also used to introduce the essential mindfulness attitude of suspending judgement. These musical encounters acted as a test run for the mentality of suspending self-judgment, particularly while trying something new.
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Session 4: Relaxation with Music and Acceptance of Letting Go
The fourth session uses music-assisted relaxation to introduce the key mindfulness attitudes of acceptance and letting go. Before beginning the music-assisted relaxation practice, the music therapist promotes deep breathing. breathe slowly and deeply, stretching the ribcage.
The music helps create loving thoughts and feelings while also supporting the visualisation of letting go of worries and upsetting sensations. The patients are instructed to softly focus their complete attention on the speaker’s voice and to keep doing so. They are also instructed to just notice their thoughts and, as much as possible, gently draw their attention back to the speaker’s voice if they let their mind stray and become preoccupied with thoughts, feelings, or other sensations.
ConclusionÂ
One of the top two signs of cancer survivorship is fatigue. Although physical activity and sleep hygiene have been proven to be helpful treatments for cancer patients’ exhaustion, the results were not satisfying. Currently, there is no medication that can effectively treat cancer patients’ weariness. The patients’ mental health has significantly improved because to this treatment. It not only lessens the cancer patients’ bad mentality but also raises their positive outlook on daily life. Clinically significant issues including pain, weariness, sadness, and the desire to die are all helped by good mental health.
