Music Therapy Emerging as a Trending Focus in Oncology Rehabilitation

On November 15, 2024, the “2024 China Integrative Oncology Conference’s Tumor Music Intervention Sub-forum and the Second Academic Annual Meeting of the Music Intervention Professional Committee” was successfully held at the Xi’an International Conference Center. The event aimed to promote the clinical application of music intervention in oncology treatment and rehabilitation, providing patients with more diverse physical and mental rehabilitation options.

The conference attracted nearly a hundred experts, scholars, medical professionals, and music enthusiasts from all over the country to discuss the cutting-edge research and practical experiences in tumor music intervention.

Professor Qian Chaonan, President of Guangzhou Taihe Cancer Hospital, who is also the Chairman of the Music Intervention Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, stated that music therapy is gradually becoming a new hotspot in the field of oncology rehabilitation. He urged major medical institutions nationwide to conduct multi-center clinical trials on music therapy to systematically evaluate its effects on the psychological regulation, pain relief, and rehabilitation of Chinese cancer patients.

Professor Qian remarked, “Music intervention is not only a theoretical innovation but also a significant breakthrough in clinical practice. By scientifically validating its effects through clinical trials, we can offer more scientifically supported rehabilitation methods to patients.” He plans to continue promoting the deep application of music intervention technology in oncology treatment.

Professor Liu Mingming from the Central Conservatory of Music presented on “Music Therapy Intervention Techniques in the Medical Field,” detailing various forms of music intervention in healthcare, the use of therapeutic songs, and providing a case study from the “Daisy Home” at Beijing Children’s Hospital Hematology and Oncology Center to illustrate the specific application of music intervention in palliative care for cancer patients.

Professor Chen Xijing from the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared the latest research on “Mechanisms and Applications of Music Emotion Regulation,” providing a theoretical basis for the application of music intervention in target populations.

Dr. Tong Fei from Hunan Cancer Hospital, in her talk titled “An 11-Year Journey of Spiritual Music,” reviewed how the Hunan Cancer Hospital has benefited nearly ten thousand people through a multi-dimensional music intervention model combined with mindfulness therapy over more than a decade of spiritual music concerts, receiving enthusiastic applause from the attendees.

Music therapist He Yinglan from Guangzhou Taihe Cancer Hospital focused on “The Role of Songwriting Intervention in the Emotional State and Social Needs of Adolescents Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation,” introducing cases where strength-based songwriting guided adolescent participants to recognize their strengths, express, release, and then understand, attribute, and accept their experiences.

Professor Zhou Liguang explained the healing power of music in his unique presentation “Minimalist Piano Suite ‘Comfort’—For Music Healing,” demonstrating how minimalist piano music can play a unique role in emotional regulation and psychosocial support.

Several experts delivered presentations on the evidence-based application of music intervention in oncology treatment and rehabilitation. Professor Fan Yao from Chongqing Medical University School of Public Health presented on “Evidence-Based Strategies for Tumor Music Intervention,” systematically discussing how evidence-based medicine supports the role of music intervention in improving the psychological burden and functioning of cancer patients and proposing future research directions in this field.

Professor Liu Yaqing from Fujian Cancer Hospital explored “Coping with Fear of Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients—Exploration of Music Intervention,” explaining how integrating music intervention and art therapy can enhance the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment for breast cancer patients, offering attendees a new perspective on holistic intervention.

Professor Zhang Ming from Qingdao University shared insights on “The Significance of Perioperative Music Therapy in Postoperative Rehabilitation,” highlighting the significant effects of music therapy in reducing postoperative anxiety, sudden agitation, and pain management during the perioperative period.

At the conference, the healing power of music was further emphasized through performances. Dr. Yilibai’er from Urumqi Meihe Cancer Rehabilitation Hospital shared the positive impact of music intervention on patients, while volunteer teacher Wang Xinheng from the Xinjiang Red Cross Foundation Cancer Rehabilitation Association recounted his inspiring story of battling cancer and using music to heal himself and help others.

The joint performance by Urumqi Meihe Cancer Rehabilitation Hospital and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Red Cross Foundation Cancer Rehabilitation Association showcased the practical application of music in cancer rehabilitation, highlighting the dual healing effect of music on the body and mind of patients.

The successful hosting of this academic annual meeting not only deepened the understanding of tumor music intervention across various sectors but also provided new directions for cross-disciplinary integration between healthcare and the arts. In the future, as clinical trials of music therapy are promoted nationwide, more researchers and clinicians will work together to innovate and apply music intervention technologies, providing more comprehensive rehabilitation support for cancer patients.