Music Therapy and Music Medicine Studies in Oncology: Part I: A Comparison

TLDR: Whether music therapy research differs from music medicine research and, if so, the differences are described and implications for research and practice are discussed.

Abstract: Music medicine studies and music therapy studies in oncology are compared in this research article. The intent is to see whether music therapy research differs from music medicine research and, if so, articulate the differences. The studies referred to in this paper might be most useful in highlighting the strong points of each type of practice. Nine music therapy and eight music medicine quantitative or mixed methods studies were selected as exemplary studies in both areas, using a Delphi process. Studies were then examined and compared regarding number of participants; independent and dependent variables; measures used; findings; number, duration, and frequency of sessions; number of participants; presentation of music; number and length of sessions; whether intervention content and an intervention theory were provided; whether music therapists were included as authors; the types of journals in which articles were published; areas of intervention; and whether CONSORT guidelines were followed. Similarities and differences are discussed, as are implications for research and practice.