Et musikkoncepts betydning og effekt. For generel velbefindende og helsefremme for børn med kræft i kemoterapi

Abstract

This text consists of an extract of my master´s thesis (Sanfi, 2007). It discusses a music concept, which is designed to meet bodily and psychosocial needs of children with cancer when receiving chemotherapy. The theory part relates to the development of the special designed music concept, while the empirical part relates to a supplementary pilot study in which a mixed methods design (i.e. semi-structured interviews and questionnaires) is applied. The combination of methods intends to explore meaning and effect of the music concept. The participants include three children, who received chemotherapy at Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Denmark. Three main aspects are addressed, starting with the underlying theoretical frame of the music concept. Thereafter follows a presentation of the results of the study. Finally, the theoretical frame and the results are discussed in relation to possible health benefit perspectives of the music concept. The implications of chemotherapy-related side effects are far-reaching and profound, and the results of the study show that the music concept has resource promoting qualities. Among other things the concept structures an overall good and relaxing joint experience for the children and parents. Furthermore, it provides a useful pause from disease, hospitalization, and treatment. In addition, the participants believe that the music concept has health promoting benefits in regard to chemotherapy-related side effects.