Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Effective, non-pharmacological approaches to pain management for people with advanced cancer that can enhance quality of life while minimizing adverse effects are urgently needed. While music therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain and improving pain-related outcomes across various patient populations, it has not been specifically examined in addressing chronic pain among people with advanced cancer. This study aims to enhance understanding of how people with advanced cancer experience music therapy for pain management. METHODS: As part of a mixed methods intervention trial, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 25 outpatients with advanced cancer (Stage 3 & 4) and chronic pain who had participated in 6 music therapy sessions designed to address psychosocial factors known to exacerbate the experience of chronic pain. We analyzed the interview transcripts using theoretical thematic analysis. RESULTS: The findings suggest that engagement in music therapy enhanced psychosocial well-being, contributed to better pain management, and helped build early therapeutic rapport. Participants emphasized that co-creating and engaging in active music making enhanced their self-efficacy as they learned to use music to improve emotional regulation skills, increase physical functioning, relax, and decrease their medication use. CONCLUSION: Music therapy's role in pain management goes beyond distraction and relaxation to include stress reduction, emotional expression, enhanced self-efficacy, and therapeutic connection and support through shared musical experiences. Incorporating board-certified music therapists into psycho-oncology care teams can help enable patients to effectively harness music as a daily tool for symptom management.