Pre-bedtime music maintains global subjective sleep quality in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer
In a randomized controlled trial, 76 family caregivers of advanced cancer patients were assigned to listen to individually chosen music for 30 minutes before bedtime for 7 days or to a control group listening to pre-recorded basic nursing education messages. The music group showed a significantly smaller decline in global sleep quality (PSQI Global Score change +0.60 vs +2.05 points, p=0.006), indicating that music helped maintain sleep quality. Exploratory findings also suggested improvements in subjective sleep duration (+0.55 h) and daytime sleepiness (ESS -2.74 points).
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Pre-bedtime music maintains global subjective sleep quality in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 44/100 (low).
The Claim
Pre-bedtime music maintains global subjective sleep quality in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer
This conclusion is most relevant to: Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer receiving home palliative care.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Effects of motivational music on sleep quality for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a randomized controlled trial. (Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Listening to preferred music before bedtime may reduce psychological stress and arousal
- ▸Music may promote relaxation and distract from caregiving worries
- ▸Improved relaxation facilitates sleep onset and maintenance
- ▸Result: Maintained global sleep quality and reduced daytime sleepiness
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer receiving home palliative care
Recommended Dose
30 minutes of music before bedtime for 7 days
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸The study was exploratory for secondary outcomes; only the primary endpoint (PSQI) was confirmed with significance
- ▸The intervention was short-term (7 days), and long-term effects are unknown
- ▸The control group received nursing education messages, which may not be a fully inert placebo, potentially affecting the comparison
- ▸The sample was limited to caregivers of advanced cancer patients, limiting generalizability to other caregiver populations
Frequently Asked Questions
Does listening to music before bed improve sleep quality in caregivers?▼
Yes, this RCT found that listening to individually chosen music for 30 minutes before bedtime for 7 days helped maintain global subjective sleep quality compared to a control group, with a significantly smaller decline in PSQI scores.
What was the primary outcome measured in this study?▼
The primary outcome was the change in global subjective sleep quality, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Global Score from baseline to post-intervention.
How long was the music intervention?▼
Participants listened to music for 30 minutes before bedtime each night for 7 days.
Were there any side effects or adverse events?▼
The abstract does not mention any adverse events, suggesting the intervention was well-tolerated, but no specific safety data is provided.
References
- 1.Valero-Cantero I, Vázquez-Sánchez MÁ, Espinar-Toledo M, Corral-Pérez J, Casals-Sánchez JL, Casals C. “Effects of motivational music on sleep quality for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a randomized controlled trial..” Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. PMID: 42545530 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-026-11038-6