Effect of Music on Pain in Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Service: a Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Palliative care services can be applied in chronic, life-threatening conditions such as cancer, and provide physical, mental and psychological support to patients worldwide. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of music on pain, anxiety, comfort and functional capacity of cancer patients received care in a palliative care unit. Methods: The population of this randomized controlled trial consisted of cancer patients hospitalized in the Palliative Care Service of a Training and Research Hospital between July 2018-July 2019. The sample of the study included 60 patients (30 interventions/30 controls) who met the inclusion criteria. The patients in the intervention group were given a total of six music sessions, ten minutes each with the Turkish classical music in maqams (modes) of their choice (Hejaz or Rast accompanied by an expert tambour (drum) player).