Les effets d’une intervention musicale en soins palliatifs : intérêt d’un protocole à cas unique à baseline multiples

Introduction. - Although medical advances allow better care for cancer patients, it can occur that the progression of the disease no longer allows a cure. The goal then becomes to control and reduce the symptoms through appropriate palliative care. In this context, non-pharmacological interventions are suitable, and music therapy offers interesting perspectives. Objective. - The objective of this study is to test experimentally a music therapy in end-of-life care. Method. - A single case design protocol with multiple baselines on two participants evaluating a musical intervention was used. The first participant followed 4 baseline measures over 3 days, and 2 intervention sessions over 2 days. The second participant followed 3 baseline measures over 2 days, and 3 intervention sessions over 3 days. Participants were asked about their Pain and Quality of Life. Results. - The results invalidate our hypotheses and demonstrate that one of the two participants experienced worsening pain and quality of life, while the other seemed to be unfazed by the intervention. Conclusion. - Field and methodological difficulties could explain these results. However, it is also reasonable to question the limitations of music therapy interventions in palliative care. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.