Music Therapy At the End of Life

The therapeutic use of music can help respond to the complex psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and families and should be viewed as an essential element in the interdisciplinary therapeutic model that encompasses palliative care. This care should target populations with all types of chronic, progressive illness, including cancer and AIDS, sickle cell disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease, dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. It should aim to maintain or enhance quality of life and relieve suffering throughout the trajectory of disease, from diagnosis to the period of bereavement for the family. The level of care and intervention should be intensified in the setting of advanced illness ensuring the patient and family that comfort will be a priority, values and decisions will be respected, psychosocial and spiritual needs will be addressed, practical help will be available, and opportunities for closure and growth will be enhanced.