MUSIC THERAPY INTERVENTION Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Improving the Quality of Life of Palliative Care Patients: a Randomised Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Study (NCT02791048) Tracey McConnell1, Lisa Graham-Wisener2, Joanne Reid1 ,Joan Regan2, Miriam McKeown2, Jenny Kirkwood3, Naomi Hughes3, Mike Clarke4, Janet Leitch2, Kerry Mcgrillen2 ,Sam Porter1 1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, UK, 2Marie Curie Hospice Belfast, Marie Curie, UK, 3Every Day Harmony Music Therapy, UK, 4School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, UK INTRODUCTION Music therapy is becoming more common in a range of healthcare settings and is one of the two commonest forms of complementary therapy in hospices (Demmer, 2004). However, there has been relatively little robust research into its effectiveness on quality of life (QoL). A recent systematic review (McConnell, Scott, Porter, 2016) identified only two, small studies (Hilliard, 2003; Nguyen, 2003), and concluded that the evidence is insufficient to presume a positive effect of music therapy on QoL of end-of-life care patients. MUSIC THERAPY INTERVENTION Individual, inpatient unit setting Two sessions (each lasting at least 45 minutes) for three consecutive weeks, in addition to usual care Format Delivered by an HCPC certified music therapist Involving live and recorded music Receptive’ and ‘recreative’ Delivery Standardised, but tailored intervention May include song composition, life review, active music making, listening to familiar music and creating legacy recordings Content AIM This study is to pilot and establish the feasibility of a randomised trial to evaluate the effects of music therapy on quality of life and inter-familial communication among palliative care patients. The study is taking place under normal clinical conditions to test procedures, measurement of outcomes and the use of validated tools; estimate recruitment and attrition rates; and calculate how many patients would be needed for the definitive randomised trial. DISCUSSION Recruitment will close at the end of May 2017. Funding application being prepared underway for multi-site definitive randomised trial. Definitive trial would help build a robust evidence base to inform decisions about the inclusion of music therapy in service provision and clinical guidelines. METHODS This is a single-centre, pilot randomised trial with two parallel groups, one receiving individual music therapy in addition to usual care, and the other receiving usual care on its own. Approximately 52 participants will be recruited from the inpatient unit at an 18-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Northern Ireland. Patients with an ECOG performance status of 3 or less and a score of 7 or more on the Abbreviate Mental Test are eligible. Before randomization, they complete the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire and we collect medical and socio-demographic data; with follow-up at 1, 3 and 5 weeks. Qualitative data is collected from focus groups and individual interviews with practitioners and carers to assess (1) if music therapy improves inter-familial communication and (2) which processes help or hinder the implementation of music therapy in a hospice setting. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Tracey McConnell (Queen’s University Belfast): t.mcconnell@qub.ac.uk