Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Group singing to improve cognitive function and quality of life in cancer patients and lay caregivers: A rapid review of literature (125275)

Dominique Tremblay 1 2 , Pierre Vachon 3 , Catherine Prady 4 , Sylvie Coallier 4 , Anna Zumbansen 5 , Gilles Comeau 5 6 , Nathalie Moreau 4 , Émilie Giordano 1 2
  1. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, QC, Canada
  2. Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC, Canada
  3. Opéra de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
  4. CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Greenfield Park, QC, Canada
  5. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  6. The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada

OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE

Cognitive impairment is a common and disruptive side effect of systemic anticancer chemotherapy that often prevents patients from regaining quality of life1. Despite its impact, no firmly established specific pharmacological treatments or clinical guidelines are available to alleviate cognitive effects2. This presentation reviews evidence on the benefits of music (playing, listening, singing) in patients having undergone cancer chemotherapy and their lay caregivers.

METHODS

We followed Cochrane's pragmatic guidance for rapid reviews3. Five scientific databases were searched to identify original studies on group singing and cancer published between January 2000 and January 2024.  A hand search was then performed on the reference lists of retained studies as well as the World Health Organization's review on art and health4.

RESULTS

Of 122 identified articles, 6 were included after a 3-step systematic screening by title, abstract, and full text. Original studies were published between 2012 and 2020 and conducted in the United Kingdom (n=4), Brazil (n=1) and Italy (n=1). Music interventions varied in nature (listening, singing), stage of treatment and number of participants (n=30 to 816) and number of sessions (1 to 24). All studies reported positive effects related to one or more of the following: immune system indicators, quality of life, psychological health, pain, fatigue, confidence and self-esteem, social support and resilience. However, some information on participant and intervention characteristics was missing and studies used different methodologies, research designs, measurement tools and sample sizes.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This rapid review reveals a scarcity of studies on the effectiveness of group singing interventions to improve chemotherapy induced cognitive impairment. Despite reporting positive effects, methodological issues compromise the internal and external validity of studies. Further rigorous research is needed to support the development of group singing interventions that benefit cancer patients.

  1. Fleming, B., Edison, P., & Kenny, L. (2023). Cognitive impairment after cancer treatment: Mechanisms, clinical characterization, and management. BMJ, 380, e071726. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-071726
  2. Zhang, Y., Kesler, S. R., Dietrich, J., & Chao, H. H. (2025). Cancer-related cognitive impairment: A practical guide for oncologists. JCO Oncol Pract, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1200/OP-24-00953
  3. Garritty, C., Hamel, C., Trivella, M., Gartlehner, G., Nussbaumer-Streit, B., Devane, D., Kamel, C., Griebler, U., & King, V. J. (2024). Updated recommendations for the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance for rapid reviews of effectiveness. BMJ, 384, e076335. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-076335
  4. Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report 67. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. Retrieved 10 October 2024 from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/329834