Effect of classical music in pain, mood and anxiety in terminally ill / cancer patients

INTERVENTION: The study will be carried out in wards of Cancer Institute Maharagama and Hospice Maharagama Consenting participants meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria will be allocated by drawing of lots into intervention and control arms. The study will be carried out avoiding visiting hours and meal times. Arm A: It will be ensured that there will be no distracting loud noises and other stimuli (e.g. television) in the study setting for the study duration. Participants will be asked to lie down in bed for 15 minutes. The basal vitals (heart rate, blood pressure and pupillary size under moderate light / day light), the pain score (on a visual analogue scale with a 0‐10 point range) and the level of anxiety and or depression (subjectively – on a visual analogue scale) will be noted at the end of resting time. Then, tranquilizing instrumental classical music (eastern and/or western) on a cheerful note will be played while the patients continue to rest for a duration of 30 minutes. Arm B: Participants will be asked to lie down in bed for 30 minutes. The basal vitals (heart rate, blood pressure and pupillary size under moderate light / day light), the pain score and the level of anxiety and or depression will be noted as above at the end of resting time. Then, they will continue to rest in the usual environment for a further 30 minutes. The vitals, pain and anxiety scores will be reassessed immediately afterwards. The following day, the participants will be subjected to a crossover, with Arm B receiving the intervention and Arm A the control. CONDITION: Pain in terminally ill / cancer patients PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Pain score on a 10 point visual analogue scale; 2. Mood score on a 10 point visual analogue scale; 3. Anxiety using a 10 point visual analogue scale; SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Heart rate ; 2. Blood pressure ; 3. Pupillary size under moderate light / day light ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adult (>12 years of age) in‐ward and hospice patients 2. Baseline pain (with or without regular analgesic therapy) Baseline pain is determined by patients who complain of a pain. It is subjective measurement. It will not be assessed objectively since its patients’ perception. 3. Patients with GCS 15/15