Can music ease anxiety for End-of-Life cancer patients?
NCT ID NCT06345924
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a music therapy program called Meraki for cancer patients receiving palliative care. The goal was to see if three music sessions could improve emotional well-being, reduce anxiety and depression, and boost quality of life. Researchers enrolled 80 patients and measured changes using standard questionnaires. The therapy focused on emotional support, family communication, and helping patients appreciate their abilities.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- music therapy
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to help cancer patients in palliative care feel less anxious and depressed, and improve their quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 80 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Music therapy may not work for all patients, and benefits might be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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80 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * The patient is receiving palliative care for an oncological diagnosis and was admitted to the hospital a week ago. They do not have moderate to severe cognitive impairment. This treatment is for oncological patients in an advanced stage who are receiving palliative anti-tumour treatment such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. These patients require support treatment that cannot be provided at home due to their complexity. The patient is in an advanced or terminal phase of the disease according to WHO criteria. * Be over 18 years of age. * Have preserved cognitive ability (SPMSQ, Pfeiffer). More than 2 errors (3 in illiterate persons) would suggest the presence of cognitive impairment. * Have signed the informed consent form * Have completed at least 2 of the 3 treatment sessions and have completed the pre-test and post-test assessment. Exclusion Criteria: -Estimated survival time. Patients with a life expectancy of two weeks or less shall not be operated on.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hospital Dr. Moliner
Serra, Valencia, Spain
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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