Study: Music Therapy as Effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors

RELEVANCE

Most relevant for: cancer survivors experiencing ongoing anxiety after completing treatment who are looking for accessible, effective mental health support options..

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Human Research

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What is this study about?

Life after cancer treatment does not always mean a return to normal. Many survivors continue to struggle with anxiety, sometimes for months or even years after treatment ends. This anxiety can affect sleep, energy levels, relationships and the ability to fully enjoy daily life.

Why is this study important?

While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely recommended as a first-line treatment for anxiety, it isn’t always easy to access or engage. Some people face long wait times or high costs, while others feel too emotionally drained after cancer treatment to participate in traditional talk therapy. Because of these challenges, researchers wanted to know whether music therapy, an approach that uses guided musical experiences to support emotional health, could offer a similarly effective alternative.

What was the approach?

Researchers, including an integrative medicine specialist, a psychosocial oncologist and a board-certified music therapist, conducted a carefully designed clinical trial involving 300 adult cancer survivors who had already completed their active treatment but were still experiencing anxiety. Participants included both English- and Spanish-speaking individuals, helping make the study more inclusive. However, the majority of the participants were white or Hispanic, with other racial identities underrepresented.

Each participant was randomly assigned to receive one of two types of care over seven weeks. One group took part in weekly telehealth sessions with a board-certified music therapist, where music was used in structured, therapeutic ways to help process emotions and reduce stress. The other group received weekly telehealth sessions of CBT with a licensed mental health professional, focusing on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns.

Researchers checked in on participants at the end of treatment (about eight weeks) and again several months later (at 26 weeks). In addition to anxiety, the researchers also looked at related concerns, such as fatigue, depression, sleep issues, pain, difficulties with thinking and concentration and overall quality of life.

Side effects and safety concerns

During this study, both treatments were very well tolerated, with few reports of side effects or negative experiences, and no major safety concerns. This suggests that both music therapy and CBT are low-risk options for managing anxiety in this population.

Limitations

Although the study provides strong evidence, a few important considerations remain. All participants had already finished their cancer treatment, so it’s not clear whether the same results would apply to people currently undergoing treatment. The study also relied on participants who reported their own symptoms, which may introduce subjectivity.

In addition, while telehealth makes these therapies more accessible, access to trained music therapists may still vary, depending on location, insurance and other healthcare resources. It is also helpful to note that the majority of the participants were white or Hispanic, with other racial identities underrepresented. This may limit how broadly the findings apply. Finally, the music therapy used in the study was structured and guided by a professional, so the results don’t necessarily apply to simply listening to music on your own.

Study findings

The results were clear: music therapy worked just as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing anxiety, both immediately after treatment and several months later. Importantly, the improvements weren’t just small statistical changes. The changes were meaningful enough that people actually felt better in their day-to-day lives.

Participants in both groups also experienced similar benefits beyond anxiety. Many reported improvements in fatigue, mood, sleep, pain and mental clarity, along with better overall physical and emotional well-being. In research terms, music therapy was found to be “noninferior” to CBT, meaning it performed no worse than the current standard treatment.

Another encouraging finding was that most participants completed their full course of sessions, suggesting that both approaches were manageable and acceptable for people going through recovery after cancer.

What does this mean for me?

If you are living with anxiety after cancer, this study offers more choices and supports the idea of more than one effective, evidence-based way to feel better. Music therapy is not just an “extra” or complementary option—it can be just as helpful as standard talk therapy.

Equally important, the study highlights that emotional healing doesn’t have to follow a single path. Some people may feel more comfortable talking through their thoughts, while others may connect more easily through music and creative expression. With both options now supported by strong evidence and available through telehealth, it may be easier to find an approach that fits your needs, preferences and daily life.

Reference

Kevin T. Liou et al. Music Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy via Telehealth for Anxiety in Survivors of Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Oncol 44, 375-385(2026). DOI:10.1200/JCO-25-00726

Disclosure: FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.

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posted 06/12/2026