Abstract
Introduction Anxiety is a common experience among cancer patients, occurring at various stages of the oncological care continuum from the initial diagnosis to treatment and post-therapeutic follow-up. To investigate the therapeutic potential of receptive music therapy using the U-shaped sequence in the context of radiotherapy, we conducted a study to evaluate the effect on patient-reported anxiety during treatment. Methods Thirty female patients undergoing radiotherapy were assigned to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention group participated in a 20-minute receptive music therapy session during their third radiotherapy treatment. Each patient selected music of her choice, which was played through a Bluetooth speaker. The control group received standard care without music therapy. Anxiety levels were assessed in both groups during the third radiotherapy session using the validated Arabic version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, Form Y-1), administered both before and after the session. Results In the control group, anxiety scores increased significantly following the radiotherapy session (p<0.000). In contrast, the intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in anxiety scores (p<0.000). Baseline anxiety levels prior to treatment were similar between the two groups, with no statistically significant difference (p=0.075). However, post-treatment anxiety levels were significantly lower in the music therapy group compared to the control group (p<0.000). Conclusion This study confirms the high prevalence of anxiety among women undergoing radiotherapy for gynecological and breast cancers and demonstrates that receptive music therapy following a U-shaped sequence significantly reduces anxiety during treatment.