Telehealth Music Therapy Is as Effective as CBT for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors.

The article focuses on a study comparing music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for reducing anxiety in cancer survivors via telehealth. The study found that both interventions produced similar long-term improvements in anxiety, fatigue, depressive symptoms, insomnia, pain, cognitive difficulties, and quality of life, with anxiety reductions persisting up to 26 weeks post-treatment. Music therapy, delivered by board-certified therapists through activities like music-guided relaxation and collaborative songwriting, was found to be noninferior to CBT, which was provided by licensed social workers and a clinical psychologist. Limitations included a predominantly female, highly educated sample and the exclusion of cancer-specific anxiety subtypes. The researchers suggest considering music therapy alongside CBT to expand treatment options for anxiety during cancer survivorship.