Music therapy for postoperative pain management after mastectomy in Nigeria: An exploratory qualitative study

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to explore the cultural elements of music in relation to pain management among women who have undergone mastectomy. Method: An exploratory qualitative study with in-depth interviews. Using the purposive sampling technique, 20 participants were recruited for the study. The interviews were conducted face to face at the surgical out-patient clinic and female surgical ward. Data collection continued until data saturation was reached. The inductive approach was used to analyse the data, and the concepts were organized into themes. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines (COREQ) were used to report this study. Results The participants were between 28 and 83 years old and mostly diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis, including pain experienced after mastectomy, culture and music, and the perception of music for postoperative pain management after mastectomy. Conclusion Knowledge and the utilisation of music as a therapy for pain management remains inadequate, but the participants perceived that music could be useful for pain control after mastectomy when the language and religion of the patient and the meaningfulness of the music were considered when introducing and selecting the music. This study will help open and extend the conversation about the utilisation and cultural elements of music that can be used clinically for pain management after mastectomy.