Study on effect of aroma and music therapy after breast cancer

Yangfan Xiao et al.

June 2018

Cancer rehabilitation

Healing & thermal therapy

Anxiety and pain are common side effects in breast cancer patients during the perioperative period. This study led by Yangfan Xiao investigates the influence of aromatherapy and music intervention on these factors and possible mechanisms of action.

100 breast cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received usual post-operative care, the aromatherapy group received additional aromatherapy, the music intervention group received additional music therapy and the combination therapy group receivedboth aromatherapy and music intervention.

Anxiety and pain scores were recorded at three time points. T1: 30 minutes before surgery; T2: 30 minutes after awakening from anesthesia; T3: 4 hours after removal of the breathing tube. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Pain increased significantly after surgery (T2, T3). However, the therapeutic groups showed a significant reduction in pain at T3 compared to the control group. The highest level of anxiety was measured before the operation (T1). After anesthesia (T2, T3), anxiety was significantly lower in the therapeutic groups than in the control group.

Both aromatherapy and music intervention can reduce stress-related anxiety and post-operative pain in breast cancer patients. A combination of both methods could be particularly beneficial.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Pain, anxiety
Institution: Department of Anesthesiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Title: Study on the effect of aroma and music therapy on pain and anxiety in breast cancer patients
Brief description: The study shows: Aromatherapy and music intervention significantly reduce anxiety and post-operative pain in breast cancer patients.
Original title: Effects of aroma therapy and music intervention on pain and anxious for breast cancer patients in the perioperative period
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30110009/