The potential role of an activity-based guitar program on the anxiety and fulfillment levels of younger relatives of cancer patients: A pilot study

Abstract

In this study, the authors evaluated the potential role of an activity-based guitar training program on reducing anxiety and providing fulfillment for younger relatives of cancer patients. Ten active members of KHYD (The Society for Relatives of Cancer Patients), between ages 11 and 17 participated in an 8-week guitar education program. The participants filled out two questionnaires before and after their engagement in the 8-week program, one to measure changes in their anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and the other to measure changes in their general fulfillment levels (Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale). Wilcoxon signed rank test, as well as descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of data. Mean rank differences were observed to be statistically significant with respect to total state and trait anxiety scores; in both cases, the participants’ scores decreased after their engagement in the program. Statistically significant mean rank differences were also observed in the overall MSLSS scores and its “friends” and “environment” sub-dimensions; with respect to these, participants’ scores increased after their engagement in the program. Recommendations for more comprehensive, larger-scale studies are given at the end.