“What's the point?”: A Case Report on Music Therapy and Terminal Cancer

Abstract

Palliative care (PC) helps to improve quality of life and alleviate suffering for those who are faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Music therapy (MT) is a type of expressive arts therapy that may be beneficial for PC patients to help manage physical symptoms as well as address psychosocial, spiritual, and existential needs. The present case report explores the use of MT as an existential form of therapy with Joe, a PC patient with terminal lung cancer. MT addressed Joe's physical and psychosocial needs and provided space to explore existential topics related to death and dying, ultimately leading to transcendence and acceptance.