Finding Calm After Cancer: How Music and Talk Therapy May Help Ease Anxiety
A Promising Breakthrough for Survivors
If you've finished cancer treatment, you know the physical battle is only part of the journey. Many survivors continue to face emotional struggles—especially anxiety, which can linger long after treatment ends. Now, a major new study offers hope and real options for managing that anxiety without adding more medication.
The MELODY Study: Music Therapy vs. CBT
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Drexel University, and partner institutions led a large, national study known as the MELODY trial. They set out to compare two popular types of therapy—music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—to see how well each reduced anxiety in cancer survivors. And here’s the twist: all sessions were done online.
Participants included 300 adults from a variety of backgrounds and cancer types. All had experienced anxiety for at least a month. Half were assigned to music therapy, the other half to CBT. Both groups met weekly over Zoom for seven weeks, then were followed for six months.
The Results: Both Therapies Work—Long-Term
By week 8, both groups showed a meaningful drop in anxiety. And by week 26, those benefits were still going strong. On average, people in both therapy groups reported a drop in anxiety symptoms that met or exceeded the “clinically important” threshold.
The numbers were close:
Music Therapy: anxiety dropped by an average of 3.31 points
CBT: anxiety dropped by 3.00 points
Statistically, that means music therapy was just as effective as CBT.
Why This Matters
CBT is widely recognized as the “gold standard” for treating anxiety. But not everyone feels comfortable with it—or has easy access to it. Music therapy offers an alternative that's creative, less clinical, and deeply personal. And thanks to telehealth, both therapies can now be delivered virtually, making them more accessible than ever.
The study also showed improvements in sleep, fatigue, depression, and quality of life—reminding us that emotional care supports physical recovery.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re a patient or a caregiver, this research is empowering. It confirms that survivors don’t have to face anxiety alone—and that multiple options exist for healing the emotional side of cancer. If traditional talk therapy doesn’t feel like the right fit, music therapy might be worth exploring.
Both approaches work. The key is finding what works best for you.
Reference
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This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
