The Healing and Spiritual Properties of Music Therapy at a Cancer Care Center

Journal

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Year

2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This article explores the theme of spirituality, health, and well-being, in relation to an emerging body of research on the impact of music therapy in cancer care. The focus of this article is a music therapy service established as part of a residential 5-day retreat program at a cancer care center. AIMS: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of patients with cancer with one-off group music therapy at a cancer care center. Central emphasis is given to exploring a range of themes relating to the healing and spiritual properties of music therapy group work. METHODS: This is a qualitative study, following a modified grounded-theory approach. Twenty-three (23) in-depth tape-recorded telephone interviews were conducted with people who had taken part in the music therapy sessions. RESULTS: The results focus on those findings relevant to notions of spirituality and healing, drawing on four overarching spirituality themes of transcendence, connectedness, search for meaning, and faith and hope. CONCLUSIONS: The authors consider the applicability of broader schemas that attempt to define and explore the role and significance of spirituality.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Cancer; Emotional Functioning; Hospital Setting; Music Therapy; Patient Experience; Wellness and Well-Being ((Outcome))

Indexed Terms

Emotions: Female: Health: Humans: Interviews as Topic: Male: Music Therapy: Neoplasms

Study Type

Grounded Theory Study; Qualitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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