Immediate impact of a music therapy session on the well-being of patients with benign or malignant breast pathology
Mariem DAHMEN, Soumaya Aicha BEN TAHER, Asma FARDAOUI, Maha BELDI, Selma FATFOUTI, Dajla MADOURI, Mehdi TRIMECH, Issam MAGOURI, Olfa JAIDANE and Dorra BOUSNINA
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, non-drug interventions aim to improve the well-being of patients with benign breast disorders or breast cancer. Music therapy is known to reduce stress and anxiety and to enhance emotional well-being. However, few works explore its immediate effect during group sessions.The aim of this preliminary experience was to explore the immediate impact of a group music therapy session on participants’ emotional state and well-being.The intervention was carried out in a neighborhood facing significant socio-economic challenges and represented a first experience. Forty-two women being followed for benign or malignant breast conditions participated in a single group session led by a certified music therapist. The assessment relied on direct verbal feedback collected before and after the session, focusing on perceived stress,anxiety, relaxation, mood, and emotional support.A total of 42 women followed for benign or malignant breast pathology. The average age was 50 years (range 32–68) participated in a single music therapy session led by a certified music therapist.Before the session, patients described heterogeneous levels of stress, fatigue, and emotional tension related to their condition and living environment. The session combined guided music listening, live instrumental interaction and moments of relaxation and individual reflection.Immediately after the workshop, all women reported clear benefits: a feeling of calm, reduced anxiety, emotional relief and a strengthened sense of support and safety. The session was unanimously perceived as soothing and helpful.These observations are consistent with literature indicating that music therapy can provide meaningful emotional and physical benefits to patients with breast conditions. Previous studies have shown reductions in anxiety, depression, as well as physiological parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate in breast cancer patients. Additionally, a clinical trial in women undergoing chemotherapy, 30-minute sessions before each cycle improved quality of life and eased anxiety, depression and side effects like nausea.This first experience suggests that group music therapy may be a promising complementary intervention for women with breast conditions, especially in socio-economically vulnerable settings. Its immediate benefits support integrating non-pharmacological approaches into patient care. Future sessions should include quantitative evaluation to confirm these preliminary results.
