Overview
The researchers are doing this study to compare two different music-based treatment approaches and see if one may work better to reduce anxiety. The researchers will also study whether these music-based treatment approaches help people feel socially connected and change how they cope with anxiety, and whether these changes are linked to lower anxiety levels. Both approaches use music-based activities to treat anxiety. One of the approaches uses an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered song creation platform to write songs with a music therapist. The other approach involves music listening exercises and music-based discussions with research staff, during which you will learn about music culture and history.
Eligibility
- Criteria
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- Patients must have a pathologically confirmed advanced cancer diagnosis: stage III or IV lung cancer; any stage pancreatic cancer, unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, unresectable liver cancer, unresectable ampullary or peri-ampullary cancer, or other stage IV gastrointestinal cancer; stage III or IV ovarian or fallopian tube cancers or other stage IV gynecologic cancer; stage IV breast cancer; stage III testicular cancer or any stage IV genitourinary cancer; stage IV sarcoma; stage IV melanoma; stage IV endocrine cancer; lymphoma, myeloma, or leukemia
- Currently receiving oncological treatment
- Age ≥ 18; English or Spanish-speaking
- Ambulatory as indicated by a Karnofsky performance score of 60 or higher
- Score of 8 or higher on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety subscale
- Anxiety symptoms lasting for at least 1 month
- Greater than 6-month expected survival as judged by the treating oncologist
- No diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse
- Score of 10 or higher on Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration indicative of dementia
- No prior receipt of music therapy within the past six months
- Not currently receiving any form of psychotherapy
- Concomitant Medications
- No initiation or change in scheduled anxiety medications (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants) within the past 4 weeks
- Initiation or change in PRN anxiety medications are allowed within the past 4 weeks
- No plan to initiate or change scheduled anxiety medications during the study
- Initiation or change in PRN anxiety medications are allowed during the study
- Access to an internet-connected device
- Able to provide informed consent
- Willing to adhere to study procedures, including randomization, session attendance, and completion of assessments
