The Influence of Music Therapy on the Mood State and Hope Level of Patients with Leukemia Complicated with Anxiety Disorder.

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of patients with leukemia experience anxiety disorders, which negatively affect their quality of life and sense of hope. Music therapy, a noninvasive and cost-effective treatment, may help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and alleviate pain.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of music therapy as an adjunct treatment on mood and hope levels in patients with leukemia and anxiety disorders.

METHODS

We analyzed 86 adult patients with leukemia and anxiety admitted between August 2023 and October 2024. Patients were divided into a standard treatment group ( n  = 43, the conventional treatment) and a music group ( n  = 43, the conventional treatment plus 12 music therapy sessions over 4 weeks, each lasting 60 min, based on mindfulness). General data, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ, coping styles), Profile of Mood States (POMS, mood states), Herth Hope Index (HHI, hope levels), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA, anxiety), World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Scale Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF, quality of life), and Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS, fatigue) were compared at admission ( T1 ) and 1 month later ( T2 ).

RESULTS

At T1 , no significant differences existed between the groups ( P > 0.05). At T2 , the music group showed reduced MCMQ avoidance/resignation scores ( P < 0.05), increased POMS positive mood, diminished negative mood ( P < 0.05), and elevated HHI scores ( P < 0.05). Additionally, their HAMA, PFS, and WHOQOL-BREF scores improved significantly ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that self-reported levels of hope and mood improved in patients with leukemia and anxiety disorder following music therapy treatment. Further studies are needed to optimize treatment timing and methods to improve efficacy.