Efficacy of musical training on psychological outcomes and quality of life in Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. Issue 1 (15th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheung, Ankie Tan; Li, William Ho Cheung; Ho, Ka Yan; Lam, Katherine Ka Wai; Ho, Laurie Long Kwan; Chiu, Sau Ying; Chan, Godfrey Chi Fung; Chung, Joyce Oi Kwan
• Is Part Of: Psycho-oncology. Volume 28:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 174
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2018-11-15
• Subjects: brain tumors -- cancer -- childhood cancer survivors -- depressive symptoms -- oncology -- quality of life -- self‐esteem; Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- psychology -- Periodicals; 616.9940019
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.4929
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-9249

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Evidence has shown that survivors of pediatric brain tumors have more negative psychological sequela, particularly depression, than do survivors of other childhood cancers. This study examined the efficacy of a musical training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing self‐esteem and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial, two‐group pretest and repeated posttest, between‐subjects design was conducted to 60 pediatric brain tumor survivors (8‐5 years old). Participants in the experimental group received a weekly 45‐min lesson on musical training for 52 weeks. Participants in the control group received a placebo intervention. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were self‐esteem and quality of life at 12 months. Data were collected at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the intervention began. Results: Participants in the experimental group reported statistically significant fewer depressive symptoms ( P < 0.001), higher levels of self‐esteem ( P < 0.001), and better quality of life ( P < 0.001) than the control group at 12‐month follow‐up. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that musical training is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing self‐esteem and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. These results indicate that musical training is not only a leisure activity but also carries therapeutic effects in promoting psychological well‐being and quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors.