Massage Therapy Versus Music Therapy Pilot Study

Each music therapy session will begin with a brief description of the protocol, a musical introduction, a discussion of music preferences, and an informal assessment of participant needs to determine target goals, e.g., management of pain, anxiety, and other symptoms; breath control; emotional support and regulation. After the initial visit, the music therapist will create a playlist, based on participant preferences, and burn it onto a CD for the participant. The participant will be encouraged to use the book and listen to the CDs as often as he/she would like. After the initial visit, follow up visits will include techniques like music-facilitated breathing, music and imagery, music and relaxation/meditation, song writing, improvisation, singing, lyric substitution, lyric analysis, musical reminiscence, passive listening. There will be the opportunity to create music and write songs across multiple sessions, if these activities are indicated.

Working with experts in hospital-based massage therapy, we have developed a semi-standardized inpatient massage protocol that utilizes Swedish techniques and acupressure. The protocol was adapted from our successful previous study of massage for perioperative care of patients undergoing implantation of permanent intravenous access devices. Massage therapists will focus on hands, feet, arms, and neck, as able, during the treatments.