The Effectiveness of Music Therapy on Anxiety, Self-esteem, and Social Adjustment of Children With Cancer in Kerman

Background: Cancer is the second largest cause of child mortality after accidents worldwide. Childhood cancers have an average incidence in Iran, with ۱۷۶ cases in one million people. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of music therapy on anxiety, self-esteem, and social adjustment of children with cancer in Kerman in ۲۰۱۹. Methods: A quasi-experimental method with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group was used in this study. The statistical population of research included all children with cancer admitted to Afzalipour hospital in Kerman (Iran) in ۲۰۱۹, and thirty children were selected by the convenience sampling method and then randomly divided into experimental (n = ۱۵) and control (n = ۱۵) groups. Data were collected using the children’s Multidimensional Anxiety Scale, the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and California Social Adjustment Scale. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS۲۲ through the multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results indicated that music therapy was effective in reducing anxiety (P < ۰.۰۰۱, F = ۱۷۹.۲۹) while increasing self-esteem (P = ۰.۰۰۱, F = ۱۲۰.۶۰) and social adjustment (P = ۰.۰۰۱, F = ۴۸.۵۶) in children with cancer. Conclusion: It can be argued that music therapy in children with cancer has been successful for anxiety, self-esteem, and social adjustment and can be applied to alleviate psychological issues in children with cancer.