Özet:

OBJECTIVE In patients with cancer, both the disease and treatment process may cause various psychosocial problems, the most frequent of which is anxiety. Therefore, reducing anxiety level is essential for the psychosocial well-being of patients. METHODS The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy on state anxiety during radiotherapy. The study was conducted on 72 radiotherapy outpatients, who were divided into two groups. One group received music therapy and listened to songs of their choice, whereas the other group received no music therapy. The state anxiety level of the patients was evaluated a day before and upon completion of the therapy. Data were analysed using t-test, analysis of variance and chi-square test in dependent and independent groups. RESULTS The study found that anxiety levels of patients in the music therapy group decreased (p=0.001) and those of patients in the no-music therapy group increased compared with the baseline values (p=0.003). Moreover, anxiety levels of patients in the no-music therapy increased after radiotherapy compared with those before radiotherapy (p=0.006). Difference between the anxiety levels of patients before radiotherapy was not statistically significant (p=0.071); however, difference between the anxiety levels after radiotherapy was statistically significant (p=0.036). CONCLUSION Music therapy can reduce anxiety levels of patients undergoing radiotherapy.

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