Doctors in the United States are using music to help children with cancer cope with chemotherapy. Researchers have found that young patients stand a better chance of recovery if their treatment is accompanied by music.

Children at Rainbow Babies Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, are receiving music therapy. They sing and play along to tunes played on a portable electric piano.

The programme was started by Deforia Lane, herself a cancer survivor.

If nothing else, music brings a smile to children's faces

She says it can reduce pain perception, help with blood pressure problems and improve the children's emotional state.

But the effect of music on cancer patients may be even more profound. There is evidence that it can actually boost the immune system.

A group of children at the Rainbow Hospital took part in a half-hour music therapy session, singing and playing instruments to simple tunes. Each child's saliva was analysed before and after the sing-along.

Researchers prove music improves immunity

Researchers found that levels of immuno-globulin, a key indicator of the strength of the immune system, was higher after the session than in other patients.

The music seemed to act as a stimulant helping the children cope with the treatment.

"It's becoming very clear that interventions such as music can have a significant impact on the ability of the patient to withstand the things that we do to them," says Dr Susan Shurin, an oncologist.

Music appears to reduce the stress hormones that impair the immune system. Doctors say it also encourages children to become more involved in their own care and willing to accept painful but necessary treatment.

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