Zhou, K., Li, X., Li, J., Liu, M., Dang, S., Wang, D., & Xin, X. (2015). A clinical randomized controlled trial of music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation training in female breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy: Results on depression, anxiety and length of hospital stay. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19, 54–59. 

To examine effects of music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training on depression and anxiety in Chinese patients with breast cancer 

Patients randomly were assigned to the intervention group (which received the music and PMR intervention) or a usual care group after a radical mastectomy. To avoid contamination, intervention and control patients were placed in different inpatient areas. Music therapy involved listening to music via headphones connected to an MP3 player for 30 minutes twice per day. This began within 48 hours after surgery. Patients selected their preferred music. PMR training was conducted on the second postoperative day. Training was conducted twice per day for 30 minutes until discharge. Patients were encouraged to do PMR and music listening exercises together. Patients in the control group received the usual postoperative nursing care only. Study measures were obtained the day before surgery and the day before hospital discharge. Data collectors were blinded to group assignment.

• N = 170  
• MEAN AGE = 47.01 years (SD = 9.5 years)
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Most had modified radical mastectomy and 89% had chemotherapy immediately after surgery

• SITE: Single-site    
• SETTING TYPE: Inpatient    
• LOCATION: China

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial

• Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)
• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

Analysis showed that there was a significant reduction in anxiety and depression over time alone (p < .001) as well as by group (p < .001), and there was a significant interaction between group and time (p = .0009). Depression scores declined an average of 7.2 points in the intervention group and 4.6 points in the control group. Anxiety scores declined an average of 16 points in the intervention group and 11 points in the control group. Hospital stay time was significantly lower in the intervention group (p < .001). Hospital stay length was shorter in the intervention group.

The findings of this study suggest that the combination of PMR and listening to music was helpful in reducing anxiety and depression in women after mastectomies.

• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
• Unintended interventions or applicable interventions not described that would influence results
• Findings not generalizable
• Other limitations/explanation: No information was provided regarding other potential confounders such as postoperative complications, pain levels, etc. that could influence reported outcomes. Data collection was conducted via face-to-face interview, and although it was stated that data collectors were blinded, it is not clear where the data collection took place. If it took place in the hospital, data collectors could deduce group assignment because of the different locations in the hospital. This study was of Chinese women, so applicability to other groups is not known. It is not clear in the report whether all sessions of the intervention were guided by the investigators or done by the patients on their own. It is not clear how, if supervised by investigators, the patient could listen to the PMR training if they also were listening to music via headphones.

Listening to music and using progressive muscle relaxation may have a positive impact on anxiety and depression in patients postoperatively. These are low-risk, low-cost interventions that may be beneficial. The findings of this study showed that those who had the intervention also had shorter hospital stays. There is insufficient evidence to determine the real impact of this intervention on duration of hospitalization; however, these findings suggest that this area deserves further exploration.