Music therapy

Music therapy uses music and sound to

• Help you to express your emotions
• Help you cope with symptoms of a disease and its treatment
• Improve your emotional and physical wellbeing
• Develop creativity and self confidence
• Help you to relax and feel comfortable

You don’t need to be musical to get something out of music therapy. It isn’t about learning to sing, or play an instrument. In a music therapy session, you may

• Listen to music
• Move to music
• Sing
• Make music with simple instruments, with the music therapist
• Write and discuss song lyrics

There are over 300 registered music therapists in the UK. They work in various places, including NHS hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Music therapists work closely with health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, speech therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. They may work with adults and children who have

• Symptoms caused by physical illness or mental illness
• Side effects from cancer and its treatment
• Terminal illness such as cancer

As with many types of complementary therapy, one of the main reasons people with cancer use music therapy is because it makes them feel good. Many of us know how calming and relaxing it can be to listen to a favourite piece of music. Music therapists say it can help people with cancer cope with side effects such as

• Pain
• Anxiety
• Depression and
• Sickness

They also say that music therapy can be a safe place for people to explore fear, anxiety and anger. Some people believe that music therapy can help children with cancer to cope, by encouraging them to cooperate and communicate.

You work with your music therapist to plan a programme that suits your needs. You decide together how often you should have the therapy, and how long each session will be.

Music therapy sessions usually last between 30 to 60 minutes. Your therapist may encourage you to play or listen to music at home between sessions. Depending on your situation, you may have regular therapy for weeks or months. You may want to see your music therapist privately, or take part in group music therapy sessions.

Your relationship with your music therapist is very important. If you don’t feel comfortable with anything your therapist is doing, do discuss it with them. Look at our difficulties with your practitioner page in the about complementary therapy section for information on changing your therapist or stopping therapy.

Music therapy cannot cure, treat or prevent any type of disease, including cancer. But some research shows that music therapy can help people with cancer reduce their anxiety.

Music therapy can help people with cancer improve their quality of life. It can also help to reduce some cancer symptoms, and side effects of treatment, such as

• Sickness (nausea) and being sick
• Pain
• Anxiety and depression
• Blood pressure
• Heart and breathing rate
• Sleeping problems

A study in 2003 looked at 69 cancer patients having music therapy. The results showed that it helped people who were having a particular type of stem cell transplant to have fewer mood changes. Stem cell transplants can cause a great deal of distress and anxiety.

A study of 80 hospice patients in 2001 showed that music therapy reduced pain and increased physical comfort and relaxation.

We don’t yet know about all the ways that music can affect the body. But we do know that when music therapy is used in the right way for each person, it can help them to feel better. To learn more about the full benefit of music therapy, we need larger trials in a wider range of cancers.

Generally, music therapy is very safe and has no side effects. But very loud music or particular types of music may make some people feel uncomfortable or irritated. Most doctors are happy for you to use music therapy alongside your cancer treatment. But remember it is important to tell your doctor about any complementary therapy or alternative therapy that you are using.

Some cancer centres and hospitals in the UK offer patients music therapy treatments free of charge. So always ask if it is available at the ward or centre where you have your treatment. If not, staff at your hospital may be able to direct you to voluntary organisations that offer free or low cost complementary therapy treatments to people with cancer. There is a list of useful organisations further down this page that may be able to advise you where to find music therapy free or at a reduced cost.

Private music therapy sessions can be expensive. The Association of British Music Therapists recommends that music therapists charge from £30 for a session. It is very important that you have your treatments with a reliable therapist. There is information about finding a therapist further down this page.

All music therapists are trained musicians who have also studied music therapy. Currently in the UK, music therapists with a professional qualification must register with the Health Professions Council. They may also register with the Association of Professional Music Therapists. There are several other music therapy associations.

The best way to find a reliable therapist is to contact the Association of Professional Music Therapists or look on the Health Professionals Council website (HPC). The HPC website also has information on standards of practice for music therapists.

When you talk to a music therapist, ask them

• How many years of training they've had
• How long they've been practicing
• Whether they have worked with people with cancer before
• If they have indemnity insurance (in case of negligence)

The title of music therapist is protected by UK law. Only people who have taken a course recognised by the Health Professions Council and registered with the HPC can call themselves a music therapist. For more information about how to find a reliable therapist and the questions you should ask, look at our complementary therapies section.

There are a number of different organisations that music therapists can join. These are listed here, with details of what they can offer and how you can contact them.

The Association of Professional Music Therapists (APMT)
2nd Floor
24-27 White Lion Street
London N1 9PD
Tel: 020 7837 6100
Fax: 020 7837 6142
Website: www.apmt.org

The Association of Professional Music Therapists is the regulatory body for music therapy and aims to maintain high standards and to support music therapists. Gives details of practising music therapists from its professional register.

British Society for Music Therapy
Website: http://www.bsmt.org/
2nd Floor
24-27 White Lion Street
London N1 9PD
Tel: 020 7837 6100
Fax: 020 7837 6142

A registered charity that aims to promote the use and development of music therapy. Acts as an advisory body and a centre of information on music therapy services, training and research.

Health Professions Council (HPC)
184 Kennington Park Road
London SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
Website: www.hpc-uk.org

An independent, UK health regulator. Sets standards of training, performance and conduct for health professionals, including music therapists. Keeps a register of qualified music therapists.

Incorporated Society of Musicians
10 Stratford Place
London W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413
Website: www.ism.org

The UK's professional body for musicians. Promotes the art of music and the interests of professional musicians. Raises standards in the profession and gives advice to members and the public about music services.

Arts in Therapy
Website: www.artsintherapy.com

The Arts in Therapy network is a charity dedicated to providing an on line community for arts therapists and people interested in using arts as therapy. It has information about the different types of creative arts used as therapy. You can join in online discussions.