Music, Intelligence, and the Neurocognitive Effects of Childhood Cancer Treatment

##article.authors##

  • Nathaniel Hiscock AMusA
  • Clare O'Callaghan PhD
  • Megan Goodwin BMus
  • Greg Wheeler MBBS, FRANZCR

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https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v5i2.210

##article.abstract##

Improved childhood cancer survival rates are associated with increasing numbers of patients with neurocognitive impairment. Detrimental cancer treatment effects include declines in IQ, attention, executive function, processing speed, memory, visuos- patial, and visuomotor skills, reducing patients’ quality of life and the potential to achieve key life milestones. Music training can improve intelligence, attention, and memory as well as provide a medium for interaction, coping, stress reduction, and improved self-esteem. Given the crossover between the domains impaired by childhood cancer treatment, and improved through music training, there is potential for music-based interventions to minimize detrimental treatment effects. This article reviews the neurocognitive effects of childhood cancer and its treatment, provides a theoretical rationale for offering children with cancer music-based interventions, and suggests strategies that carers may use to extend their intellectual potential and quality of life.

##submission.authorBiographies##

##submission.authorWithAffiliation##

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Vic- toria, Australia.

Nathaniel Hiscock, AMusA, is currently studying medicine at Mon- ash University, Melbourne, Australia; and in 2007 he received his Associate in Music Australia diploma in alto saxophone.

##submission.authorWithAffiliation##

Social Work, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Australia.

Clare O’Callaghan, PhD, works as a music therapist at Peter Mac- Callum Cancer Centre and Caritas Christi Hospice, St Vincent’s Hos- pital and has honorary affiliations with the University of Melbourne, Australia.

##submission.authorWithAffiliation##

Social Work, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Australia.

Megan Goodwin, BMus, is the Redkite Music Therapist at Peter Mac- Callum Cancer Centre, Victoria, Australia, and works with cancer patients up to 24 years old and their families.

##submission.authorWithAffiliation##

Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Australia.

Greg Wheeler, MBBS, FRANZCR, is the chair of the Paediatric/Late Effects Service at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria, Australia.

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##issue.issue##

##issue.vol## 5 ##issue.no## 2 (2013)

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