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BMC Palliative Care

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Patient’s and health care provider’s perspectives on music therapy in palliative care – an integrative review

Authors: W. Schmid, J. H. Rosland, S. von Hofacker, I. Hunskår, F. Bruvik

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

The use of music as therapy in multidisciplinary end-of-life care dates back to the 1970s and nowadays music therapy (MT) is one of the most frequently used complementary therapy in in-patient palliative care in the US. However existing research investigated music therapy’s potential impact mainly from one perspective, referring to either a quantitative or qualitative paradigm. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the users’ and providers’ perspectives on music therapy in palliative care within one research article.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using several databases supplemented with a hand-search of journals between November 1978 and December 2016. Inclusion criteria were: Music therapy with adults in palliative care conducted by a certified music therapist. Both quantitative and qualitative studies in English, German or a Scandinavian language published in peer reviewed journals were included. We aimed to identify and discuss the perspectives of both patients and health care providers on music therapy’s impact in palliative care to forward a comprehensive understanding of it’s effectiveness, benefits and limitations. We investigated themes mentioned by patients within qualitative studies, as well as commonly chosen outcome measures in quantitative research. A qualitative approach utilizing inductive content analysis was carried out to analyze and categorize the data.

Results

Twelve articles, reporting on nine quantitative and three qualitative research studies were included. Seven out of the nine quantitative studies investigated pain as an outcome. All of the included quantitative studies reported positive effects of the music therapy. Patients themselves associated MT with the expression of positive as well as challenging emotions and increased well-being. An overarching theme in both types of research is a psycho-physiological change through music therapy.

Conclusions

Both quantitative as well as qualitative research showed positive changes in psycho-physiological well-being. The integration of the users´ and providers´ perspectives within future research applicable for example in mixed-methods designs is recommended.

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Title: Patient’s and health care provider’s perspectives on music therapy in palliative care – an integrative review
Authors: W. Schmid
J. H. Rosland
S. von Hofacker
I. Hunskår
F. Bruvik
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-018-0286-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Patient’s and health care provider’s perspectives on music therapy in palliative care – an integrative review

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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