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Updated: May 20, 2026

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An interpretative phenomenological analysis of an improvisational music therapy program for cancer patients
Maria Pothoulaki1, Raymond MacDonald, Paul Flowers
1Glasgow Caledonian University.
Background:
Although there are an increasing number of qualitative studies investigating the benefits of music therapy interventions in cancer care settings, few studies have adopted a phenomenological approach to explore how and why such interventions work.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore the psychological processes involved in an improvisational music therapy program for cancer patients.
Methods:
Nine individuals took part in an improvisational music therapy program and participated in semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed as a theoretical and methodological framework for the analysis of the interviews.
Results:
Recurrent themes revealed a variety of social and psychological benefits related to the experience of music therapy, such as facilitating peer support and group interaction, increasing self-confidence, relaxation, the generation of positive feelings, stress relief and feelings of enhanced communication through music. There was also an emphasis upon the importance of social interaction and communication.
Conclusions:
This paper highlights a number of key benefits connected with music therapy for patients with cancer and the effectiveness of IPA in applied health psychology research.
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