Singing modulates mood, stress, cortisol, cytokine and neuropeptide activity in cancer patients and carers

• DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2016.631
• Publication Date: 2016-04-04T23:01:16Z
• Authors: Daisy Fancourt; Aaron Williamon; Livia A Carvalho; Andrew Steptoe; Rosie Dow; Ian Lewis
• Keywords: Affect

There is growing evidence that psychosocial interventions can have psychological benefits for people affected by cancer, including improved symptoms of mental health and wellbeing optimised immune responses. However, despite numbers music interventions, particularly singing, in cancer care, there less research into their impact. We carried out a multicentre single-arm preliminary study to assess the impact singing on mood, stress response three populations cancer: carers (n = 72), bereaved 66) patients 55). Participants were excluded if pregnant or they currently being treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy oral immunosuppressive drugs. regular participants five choirs across South Wales took part one hour group singing. Before after visual analogue mood scales, scales saliva samples testing cortisol, beta-endorphin, oxytocin ten cytokines taken. Across all centres four participant groups, was associated significant reductions negative affect increases positive (p < .01) alongside GM-CSF, IL17, IL2, IL4 sIL-2rα (all p .01). In addition, beta-endorphin levels. This provides improves state modulates components system. Further work needed ascertain how this differs more specific patient groups whether repeat exposure could lead meaningful, longitudinal effects.