Music Therapy Noninferior to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors, Large Telehealth Trial Shows
A large-scale telehealth study published in *JAMA Oncology* found that music therapy was equally effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing anxiety among cancer survivors, according to researchers from the University of Michigan and the National Cancer Institute. The trial, involving 450 participants, challenges conventional approaches to mental health care for this population.
Study Design and Methodology
The randomized controlled trial, conducted between 2021 and 2023, assigned participants to either weekly 45-minute sessions of guided music therapy or CBT. Both interventions were delivered via telehealth platforms. Music therapy involved listening to curated playlists, improvisational music-making, and guided relaxation techniques, while CBT focused on identifying and reframing negative thought patterns.
Results and Implications
At 12 weeks, 68% of participants in the music therapy group reported significant reductions in anxiety symptoms, compared to 65% in the CBT group. The difference was not statistically significant, indicating noninferiority. “This suggests that music therapy could be a viable alternative for patients who prefer nonverbal interventions or face barriers to traditional therapy,” said Dr. Sarah Lin, lead author of the study.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Natalie Singh, a board-certified internal medicine physician and health editor, emphasized the importance of accessible mental health options. “Cancer survivors often face unique stressors, and expanding treatment modalities like music therapy can improve adherence and outcomes,” she noted. The study also highlighted the potential of telehealth to broaden access, particularly for rural or mobility-limited patients.
Limitations and Future Research
While the trial’s results are promising, researchers caution that long-term effects and mechanisms of action require further investigation. The study did not assess whether music therapy could replace CBT entirely, only that it was equally effective in the short term.
Broader Context
This finding aligns with growing interest in complementary therapies for mental health. A 2022 review in *The Lancet Psychiatry* found that nonpharmacological interventions, including art and music therapy, showed “moderate efficacy” for anxiety. However, experts stress that such approaches should complement, not substitute, evidence-based treatments like CBT.
What’s Next?
Healthcare providers are now evaluating how to integrate music therapy into standard care protocols. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has called for larger, multi-center trials to validate these results. For patients, the study offers hope that personalized, flexible options may soon be available to address anxiety without traditional talk therapy.