I forgot about the music: An autoethnographic case study of a music therapist's learnings during 5 weeks of radiotherapy treatment
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Stream One
| Friday, October 17, 2025 |
| 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Centre Stage 1 |
Overview
Fiona Lamb
Speaker
Fiona Lamb
Good Vibrations
I forgot about the music: An autoethnographic case study of a music therapist's learnings during 5 weeks of radiotherapy treatment
Abstract
Radiotherapy uses high energy radiation to destroy cancer cells so they cannot multiply. Treatment sessions required the patient to maintain emotional regulation, remain still and control breathing with a worn breathing apparatus.
Music listening can reduce patient anxiety during radiotherapy procedures (Chen, 2020), and other minimally invasive procedures where anxiety is prevalent (Gurkan et al, 2023), however it is not routinely offered to patients.
This autoethnographic case study shares a music therapist’s experience of disempowerment, fear and isolation experienced during radiotherapy for breast cancer- and how the introduction of music impacted this experience.
Music was introduced as a point of focus. Challenges were experienced when emotionally charged musical content was played. The patient orchestrated an approach where adjustments were made to playlists to refine the musical content which supported emotion regulation and the treatment outcomes. The applicability of the Healthy-Unhealthy Music Scale is explored (Saarikallio, Gold, & McFerran, 2015) for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Chen, HH (2020) The Effect of Music Intervention in Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Nov. 2020
Gürkan, O. & Kaya, M.F.(2023). Effect of Music on Anxiety and Pain Levels of Patients Undergoing Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Study. Academic Radiology. Nov. 11, 2023.
Saarikallio, S., Gold, C., & McFerran, K. (2015). Development and validation of the Healthy‐Unhealthy Music Scale. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 20(4), 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12109
Music listening can reduce patient anxiety during radiotherapy procedures (Chen, 2020), and other minimally invasive procedures where anxiety is prevalent (Gurkan et al, 2023), however it is not routinely offered to patients.
This autoethnographic case study shares a music therapist’s experience of disempowerment, fear and isolation experienced during radiotherapy for breast cancer- and how the introduction of music impacted this experience.
Music was introduced as a point of focus. Challenges were experienced when emotionally charged musical content was played. The patient orchestrated an approach where adjustments were made to playlists to refine the musical content which supported emotion regulation and the treatment outcomes. The applicability of the Healthy-Unhealthy Music Scale is explored (Saarikallio, Gold, & McFerran, 2015) for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Chen, HH (2020) The Effect of Music Intervention in Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Nov. 2020
Gürkan, O. & Kaya, M.F.(2023). Effect of Music on Anxiety and Pain Levels of Patients Undergoing Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Study. Academic Radiology. Nov. 11, 2023.
Saarikallio, S., Gold, C., & McFerran, K. (2015). Development and validation of the Healthy‐Unhealthy Music Scale. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 20(4), 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12109
Biography
Fiona is a music therapist who has worked in the adult disability sector, paediatrics and is now focusing on the community music therapy space. She is Musical Director of Good Vibrations choir and an Assistant Musical Director of Cafe of The Gate Of Salvation
