Harmonizing healing: A meta-analysis of music therapy’s role in cancer patient mental health and psychological resilience

Background: The therapeutic potential of music therapy, a non-invasive, affordable, and adaptable psychosocial intervention, has gained increasing attention in cancer care. Cancer diagnosis and treatment are often accompanied by significant psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and fatigue, all of which can substantially reduce patients’ quality of life (QoL). Addressing these psychological issues is essential for delivering comprehensive, holistic care. Existing studies vary in terms of therapy types, delivery methods, treatment phases, and patient populations. This heterogeneity can affect the comparability of findings and limit the generalizability of individual study outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the impact of music therapy on the psychological well-being and resilience of cancer patients. Method: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic selection of peer-reviewed studies was conducted based on inclusion criteria such as study design, participant characteristics, type of music intervention, and measurable psychological outcomes. Both active (e.g., singing, playing instruments, songwriting) and receptive (e.g., listening to live or recorded music) forms of therapy were considered across various types and stages of cancer. Results: The findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in emotional health, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increased coping ability (Hedges’ g = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.66; p < 0.001) and psychological resilience (Hedges’ g = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.61; p < 0.001). Effectiveness and heterogeneity among mental results in cancer patients were assessed using statistical analysis utilising meta-analysis with random-effects models. Conclusion: Interventions conducted by certified music therapists, particularly when initiated early in treatment, were particularly more effective. Music therapy is an effective complementary treatment in cancer care. Its integration into supportive care frameworks is recommended to enhance psychological recovery, emotional strength, and overall well-being in cancer patients.