Mitigation of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea Using Adjunct Music Listening: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Integrative Medicine
• Patient Supportive Care

Background:

• Chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) persists despite antiemetic medications.
• Nonpharmacologic interventions are needed to manage CIN.
• Music listening is a potential adjunct therapy for nausea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a music listening intervention for CIN.
• To evaluate the effects of music listening on nausea severity and distress.
• To inform future randomized controlled trials.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study with 12 patients experiencing CIN.
• 30-minute music listening intervention initiated with antiemetic medication.
• Intervention repeated as needed for 5 days post-chemotherapy.
• Data collected on 66 listening sessions.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in nausea severity (p < .001).
• Significant reduction in nausea-related distress (p < .001).
• Feasibility data indicated positive patient reception and minimal operational challenges.

Conclusions:

• Adjunct music listening is a feasible and effective intervention for reducing CIN.
• Music listening can alleviate both nausea severity and associated distress.
• Findings support further investigation in a randomized controlled trial.