Purpose: Music therapy has been used for relaxation in traditional medicine. This study explored the effect of music therapy on the physical and mental parameters of cancer patients during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Design and methods: Thirty patients who were hospitalized for bone marrow transplantation were included. Traditional Music Therapy of Islamic Turkish Culture was applied to the patients during the transplantation process. Specific physical and psychological parameters of patients were evaluated before and after music therapy.
Findings: A positive relationship between anxiety and distress scores was observed. Music therapy had a significant impact on increasing levels of oxygen saturation, and decreasing anxiety and distress levels of the HSCT patients (P < .05).
Practice implications: Music therapy may provide positive effects for patients during HSCT.
Keywords: anxiety; cancer; holistic; music therapy; psychology; traditional medicine.
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