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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).

Last updated: Aug 6, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effects of motivational music on sleep quality for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

observational

Valero-Cantero I, Vázquez-Sánchez MÁ, Espinar-Toledo M, Corral-Pérez J, Casals-Sánchez JL, Casals C · Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 7 days
Intervention: Listening to individually chosen music for 30 minutes before bedtime for 7 days
Outcome: Global subjective sleep quality (PSQI Global Score), daytime sleepiness (ESS), sleep duration (subjective), client satisfaction (CSQ-8)
Effect Size: N/A (reported as mean differences: PSQI change difference 1.45 points; sleep duration +0.55 h; ESS -2.74 points)
Population: Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer receiving home palliative care

Result:

PubMed: 42545530DOI: 10.1007/s00520-026-11038-6

Mechanism Graph

Listening to preferred music before bedtime may reduce psychological stress and arousal
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Music may promote relaxation and distract from caregiving worries
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Improved relaxation facilitates sleep onset and maintenance
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Result: Maintained global sleep quality and reduced daytime sleepiness

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

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References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.