Effect of Music on Salivary Amylase in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis and the treatment for cancer are significant stressors for the patients. It can affect physical as well as psychological well-being. Variations in salivary amylase indicate physiological responses to the stressful experience during chemotherapy. Music therapy is witnessed to decrease psychosocial distress in the oncology setting. Listening to music can positively benefit neurophysiologic and emotional responses as well as promote relaxation, especially beneficial for cancer patients undergoing painful and anxiety-inducing chemotherapy. It is, therefore nurses, who are so familiar with this environment, not only to be aware of this anxiety-producing process but to cope with it and to alleviate it for the patient as much as possible. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the salivary amylase levels in patients undergoing chemotherapy before and after listening to preferred music. Design: Quasi-experimental repeated measure design. Setting; Experimental and control group were recruited from two oncology units of selected multispecialty hospitals. Participants: Purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Patients of age group eighteen and above, undergoing first time chemotherapy treatment and the chemotherapy infusion lasts for minimum of 3 hours duration was the inclusion criteria whereas Patients who were unable to listen to music due to hearing problems, those who were with head and neck cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid problems were excluded from the study. 168 eligible participants were recruited among which 8 were unable to continue. Methods: Saliva was collected from both the study groups before and after the chemotherapy administration. The patient preferred instrumental music intervention was administered for the duration of 3 hours during chemotherapy with the help of mp3 player and musical pillow in the experimental group where the control group had a routine oncology unit care and they were rested on a bed during the chemotherapy administration. The post-tests were done on day 3 and day 5. Results: Significant changes in mean salivary amylase were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (p˂0.05). Repeated measure ANOVA also showed a significant difference (p˂0.05) in the experimental group at different time points of observation. There was a significant association between the baseline amylase level and stage of cancer in both the experimental and control group (p˂0.05). Conclusion: Music was effective in patients undergoing chemotherapy in terms of reduction in salivary amylase level.