Evidence-Based Complementary Therapy Recommendations To Improve Psychological Health And Quality Of Life In Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Best Practice Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to develop a best practice approach for improving quality of life in pediatric oncology patients utilizing music therapy as a form of complementary treatment. Incidence of invasive pediatric cancer has increased by twenty-nine percent within the past two decades. Studies suggest that pediatric cancer survivors have slightly lower college attendance rates, are more likely to be unemployed, and not married as young adults. The undesirable social outcomes are products of the disruptive nature of a cancer diagnosis and its impact on psychological health (Kids v Cancer, 2015). Evidence has shown that implementing complementary therapy to improve wellbeing under numerous conditions like pediatric cancer can be successful (Lin et al., 2011). By introducing music therapy into the pediatric oncology setting, the quality of life (QOL) and psychological health of the children can improve. Focusing on QOL and psychological health in pediatric cancer patients allows for normal functioning and development later on in adulthood.