BACKGROUND: Evidence has shown that survivors of pediatric brain tumors have more negative psychological sequela, particularly depression, than do survivors of other childhood cancers. This study examined the efficacy of a musical training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing self-esteem and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial, two-group pretest and repeated posttest, between-subjects design was conducted to 60 pediatric brain tumor survivors (8-5 years old). Participants in the experimental group received a weekly 45-min lesson on musical training for 52 weeks. Participants in the control group received a placebo intervention. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were self-esteem and quality of life at 12 months. Data were collected at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the intervention began. RESULTS: Participants in the experimental group reported statistically significant fewer depressive symptoms (P < 0.001), higher levels of self-esteem (P < 0.001), and better quality of life (P < 0.001) than the control group at 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that musical training is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing self-esteem and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. These results indicate that musical training is not only a leisure activity but also carries therapeutic effects in promoting psychological well-being and quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Evidence has shown that survivors of pediatric brain tumors have more negative psychological sequela, particularly depression, than do survivors of other childhood cancers. This study examined the efficacy of a musical training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing self-esteem and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial, two-group pretest and repeated posttest, between-subjects design was conducted to 60 pediatric brain tumor survivors (8-5 years old). Participants in the experimental group received a weekly 45-min lesson on musical training for 52 weeks. Participants in the control group received a placebo intervention. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were self-esteem and quality of life at 12 months. Data were collected at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the intervention began. RESULTS:Participants in the experimental group reported statistically significant fewer depressive symptoms (P < 0.001), higher levels of self-esteem (P < 0.001), and better quality of life (P < 0.001) than the control group at 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that musical training is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing self-esteem and quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese pediatric brain tumor survivors. These results indicate that musical training is not only a leisure activity but also carries therapeutic effects in promoting psychological well-being and quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors.
Authors: Ankie Tan Cheung; William Ho Cheung Li; Laurie Long Kwan Ho; Wei Xia; Godfrey Chi Fung Chan; Joyce Oi Kwan Chung Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2020-10-17 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Laurie Long Kwan Ho; William Ho Cheung Li; Ankie Tan Cheung; Wei Xia; Ka Yan Ho; Joyce Oi Kwan Chung Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-09-25 Impact factor: 3.295