Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

Table 2.3 gives an overview of studies reporting the use of BMGIM in the four phases
of cancer treatment.
Diagnosis/pre-treatment:
There are very few reported studies of BMGIM or GMI applied to the diagnosis and
treatment phase (operation and/or chemotherapy or radiation).
The case study of Logan (1998) "provides an outstanding example of the benefits of
BMGIM during the diagnostic phase of a chronic illness (...) and describes BMGIM
sessions of a gentleman who was undergoing radiation therapy for stage four lung
cancer, with bone metastasis (...) and provides an example of how relief in both
physical and emotional tension can provide pain relief (...) This modification of the
Bonny method served as a simple intervention that the client could use even when the
therapist was not available." (Burns 2002, p. 179-80).
In a more general overview of the potentials of music therapy in cancer care Abrams
(2001) lists the following potentials of BMGIM with cancer patients in different
phases of treatment, as reported in the literature:
• promoting expression and release of feeling during emotional recovery
• facilitating greater coping
• discovering a more integrated sense of self
• improved immune function (music-driven psychoneuroimmunology (PNI))
More research is necessary to document and understand the mechanisms underlying
music-driven PNI and its possible influence on individuals with cancer. For a
theoretical explanation Abrams refers to Scartelli (1992).
Short (2002) writes that imagery of cancer patients have been examined for clues
about progress of their disease. Many examples suggest support ”for the notion that
there is an inherent inner knowledge which connects body and mind, which can be
accessed via imagery processes within the therapeutic context” (p. 155).
Olofsson (1993, 1999) reports from her work at a large oncological ward, how music
therapy in general, BMGIM in particular can be a powerful complementary to other
care and medical treatment of patients in oncology. Music therapy can help patients
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