Live music program helps patients relax
A new program at the University of Maryland Medical Center is helping cancer patients cope with the discomfort of treatment through music.
Jessica Montgomery took in some beautiful music Tuesday that transported her to a relaxing place.
"I think it's helped me by just making me at peace," she told 11 News.
Montgomery, 29, was diagnosed with leukemia in August. While undergoing chemotherapy, she was an in-patient at UMMC. There, she met Terri Fevang, who played music in her room several times a week as part of the integrative care team.
"At a time where there's so much uncertainty and there's so much they cannot control in their lives, you're bringing them a piece of humanity and beauty into the room that they would otherwise not have because they're in a hospital," Fevang said.
The Live Therapeutic Music Program is already being implemented in other areas around the hospital, but through a grant from Gabrielle's Angel Foundation, hospital officials started studying its effect on cancer patients four months ago.
"We've had substantial anecdotal evidence that the program has been effective. Patients have loved it, and what we're going to do is a rigorous scientific evaluation of physiological and psychological evaluation outcomes," said Dr. Chris D'Adamo.
But Montgomery and her father, who was by her side in the hospital, are already believers.
"She would start playing, and in minutes, both of us would be asleep and didn't wake up until the music stopped. It was so relaxing. It took our minds -- both of our minds -- off what was going on," Montgomery's father, Wendell Travers, said.
Montgomery said she hopes Fevang will play for her when she's admitted to the hospital again in another week or so for a stem cell transplant. She's nervous about the procedure and said the music will help her escape for a short time from the reality of treatment.
"I just kind of close my eyes and forget I'm in the hospital and just basically forget that I'm away from home," Montgomery said. "I feel like I'm back home and just living a regular life."
The hospital said it hopes to expand the therapeutic music program to include outpatients.
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