Nurse-Led Music Listening During Chemotherapy: A Prepost Study

Emotional distress and pain are highly prevalent among patients undergoing chemotherapy and negatively affect treatment tolerance and quality of life. Receptive music listening has emerged as a safe complementary intervention in oncology care, although evidence from nurse-led implementations in routine clinical settings remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of a brief nurse-led receptive music listening intervention delivered during chemotherapy infusion on mood, relaxation, and pain.

Quasi-experimental pre-post evaluation with a single group.

A convenience sample of 34 adult oncology patients receiving chemotherapy in two public hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, participated in a single, individualised receptive music listening session during treatment administration. Outcomes were assessed immediately before and after the intervention using visual analogue scales for mood, relaxation, and pain. Paired statistical tests were applied as appropriate, and effect sizes were calculated.

Statistically significant improvements were observed in mood, relaxation, and pain following the intervention. Mood and relaxation scores increased, while perceived pain decreased after the receptive music listening session. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, suggesting potentially relevant immediate changes. All participants completed the intervention and assessments, and no adverse events were reported.

A brief nurse-led receptive music listening intervention delivered during chemotherapy was associated with immediate improvements in emotional and physical wellbeing. The intervention was feasible and well accepted.

Receptive music listening can be easily integrated into routine oncology nursing practice and may represent a simple, low-risk, person-centred supportive intervention during chemotherapy.