Music Therapy as an Intervention for Children with Cancer in Isolation Rooms

Discusses the use of music therapy (MT) for hospitalized medical and oncology patients. MT has been shown to be more effective in stimulating verbalization of hospital experiences, resolving anxiety and fear-provoking fantasies, and aiding more positive affect than are other therapies. A clinical program is described in which MT is a primary intervention for pediatric oncology patients in isolation rooms. Using a musicomputer of advanced microtechnology and various song activities, children participate in interpersonal interactions and shared musical experiences. MT encounters help to mobilize ego strengths and coping abilities, as well as provide a vehicle for emotional expression. Four case vignettes illustrate these interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)