Exploring the role of music listening in cancer care: A systematic literature review

Cancer is a leading global health concern, affecting not only physical health but also psychological, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. Music listening has been explored as a supportive, non-pharmacological intervention within oncology care. The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine the role of music listening in cancer care, focusing on (1) the types of music listening interventions used and (2) the roles and outcomes of such interventions for individuals with cancer. The methods used were a systematic literature review. Literature was systematically searched across Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale (RILM), ScienceDirect, Music Periodicals Database, PsycINFO, Sage Journals, Google Scholar, and PubMed (2000–2024). Inclusion criteria: published literature, peer-reviewed studies involving individuals with cancer and interventions centred on music listening (e.g., pre-recorded, live, guided imagery, and music). Exclusion criteria: non-English, pre-2000, systematic reviews, unpublished literature, meta-analyses, and studies not isolating music listening. Thirteen studies met the criteria. Data were extracted and analysed thematically. Guided imagery and music (GIM), pre-recorded music (e.g., CD/MP3), live music listening, receptive music therapy, music-and-imagery, and group listening session interventions were conducted that ranged from 12 minutes to two hours, most commonly 30 minutes. Intervention outcomes clustered into five themes: (1) symptom reduction (pain, anxiety, depression, nausea), (2) benefits of music listening as a non-pharmacological intervention, (3) coping and enhancement of quality of life, (4) cognitive benefits (memory, distraction from intrusive thoughts, and (5) connectedness (intrapersonal, interpersonal, transpersonal). The conclusions drawn from the results are that music listening is a safe, feasible, cost-effective, and non-invasive adjunct to oncology care. Despite promising results, limitations such as small sample sizes and heterogeneity of study design restrict generalisability. Future research should utilise larger, more rigorous trials, explore digital/streaming music interventions, and evaluate long-term effects.