Music Therapy Boosts Health for Kids With Cancer, Parents

Indiana University research shows Active Music Engagement intervention reduces stress and anxiety for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:02am

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Caitlyn Krater, a former music therapist, worked with Indiana University School of Nursing professor Sheri Robb on Active Music Engagement research trials. The program, focused on children ages 3 to 8 with cancer, uses music-play sessions with a credentialed music therapist to counteract the stress of treatment and improve patient outcomes. The intervention has also been shown to reduce traumatic stress symptoms in parents and improve mood in both children and parents.

Why it matters

Music therapy is becoming an increasingly important tool in pediatric care, helping to ease the significant physical and emotional challenges that children with chronic illnesses like cancer and their families face throughout treatment. The Active Music Engagement program developed at Indiana University offers a non-pharmacological approach to symptom management and stress reduction that benefits the whole family.

The details

The Active Music Engagement intervention includes music-play sessions with a credentialed music therapist, with the goal of not only counteracting the stress of cancer treatment for the pediatric patients but also reducing the interrelated distress experienced by their parents. The program gives families tools they can use at home as well. Research shows the intervention changes parents' perceptions of their child's health, significantly reducing traumatic stress symptoms for highly distressed and under-resourced parents. The music therapy also provides opportunities for children to take the lead, explore, and express themselves, leading to moments of bravery, self-discovery, and joy.

  • The Active Music Engagement research trials were conducted at the Indiana University School of Nursing.

The players

Sheri Robb

Walther Professor of Supportive Oncology at the Indiana University School of Nursing, who developed the Active Music Engagement music therapy intervention.

Caitlin Krater

A postdoctoral fellow at IU Indianapolis and former music therapist at IU Health who collaborated on the Active Music Engagement research trials.

Seethal Jacob

An associate professor of pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine and co-investigator of the Active Music Engagement research studies.

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What they’re saying

“In my work, I have seen how powerful this intervention can be, especially for hospitalized children who so often have little choice or control in their daily lives. Through active music-making, children are offered a space to take the lead, explore and express themselves on their own terms. What begins as simple play often grows into something much deeper: moments of bravery, self-discovery and joy.”

— Caitlin Krater, Postdoctoral fellow at IU Indianapolis and former music therapist at IU Health (Mirage News)

“Children with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease or cancer and their families face intense physical and emotional challenges throughout treatment. This intervention offers a non-pharmacologic approach to help children manage symptoms and reduce stress through music. It also creates meaningful opportunities for caregivers to actively support their child's well-being, fostering connection and empowerment during what can be a stressful time.”

— Seethal Jacob, Associate professor of pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine (Mirage News)

“Facing cancer treatment is incredibly hard for both young children and their parents; their stress is deeply connected. What is special about our Active Music Engagement program is that it uses musical play to help both parents and children feel better at the same time. It has been shown to significantly reduce traumatic stress symptoms in parents, while also reducing anxiety and fatigue and improving mood in both children and parents.”

— Sheri Robb, Walther Professor of Supportive Oncology at the Indiana University School of Nursing (Mirage News)

What’s next

Robb is developing a large-scale implementation study to increase patient access to music therapy and improve patient care. She is also working to expand the Active Music Engagement intervention to children with other chronic health conditions beyond cancer.

The takeaway

Music therapy is proving to be a powerful tool in pediatric care, providing a non-pharmacological approach to help children and their families manage the significant physical and emotional challenges of chronic illnesses like cancer. The Active Music Engagement program developed at Indiana University demonstrates the benefits of music-based interventions in reducing stress, anxiety, and traumatic symptoms for both young patients and their parents.