[Effect of music therapy on chemotherapy nausea and vomiting in children with malignancy]

ABSTRACT

Nausea and vomiting is one of the major side-effects of chemotherapy. Due to complex nature of its management, both medical and non-medical therapies are recommended. This study aimed to investigate the effect of music therapy on chemotherapy nausea and vomiting in children with malignancy. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 children aged 8-12 who were under chemotherapy were recruited. After getting the current treatments, the children listened to a kind of music for 45 minutes at 6, 9, and 12 hours after the beginning of the chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting was measured using both numerical and descriptive scales every 8 hours for 24 hours after beginning of the chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using Willcoxon and Mcnemar statistical tests in the SPSS, version 11.5. The rate of nausea was declined significantly at the 16[th] and 24[th] hours after music therapy. Assessment of nausea by descriptive scale showed a decline only at 24[th] hours after music therapy. The rate of vomiting did not show any significant difference between two stages. Music therapy could decrease the amount of nausea in children with malignancy under chemotherapy; however, it does not any effect on the rate of vomiting