Research Article Critique

Research Article Critique
A pilot study was conducted on women with a diagnosis of breast cancer undergoing
adjunctive chemotherapy with reported symptoms of decreases in cognition, focus, attention,
short-term memory, and fatigue. A cancer facility in Florida conducted the study to find out
whether Mindfulness-based music therapy (MBMT) would affect patients that are receiving
adjunctive chemotherapy treatment. “Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation
therapy, are thought to damage normal cognitive functioning of women with breast cancer”
(Reuter-Lorenz & Cimprich, 2013; Von Ah & Tallman, 2014). Meta-analysis and brain imaging
of women with breast cancer revealed that chemotherapy affects women’s ability to cognitively
function and their mood.The study assessed the effectiveness of MBMT on the female
participants with breast cancer through analysis.This study will explore how nurses can work
with patients using MBMT.
Research Question
The study was conducted to provide a statistical response to the research question of how
effective mindfulness- based music therapy would be conducted on women with breast cancer
receiving adjunctive therapy who reported changes in mood and attention.The research was
performed based on analysis of the responses of the participants.The responses within the study
were elaborated based on my observation.
Research Design
The study had a quantitative, descriptive and longitudinal approaches. The descriptive
approach is to “investigate the relationships between two or more variables or between subjects”
(Houser, 2018). The quantitative measure helps the author to measure the variables and the
statistical relationship between the two.This shows the way MBMT helped improve the
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moods.The data was based on a particular group of women with the diagnosis of breast cancer on
adjunctive chemotherapy. The same set of participants were observed at several different times
and, the data were collected each time, which made the study longitudinal.The author used these
designs to help the readers understand the process and the outcome. The design was practical
because it strengthens the research question and reinforced the research objectivity.The research
was based on convenience, and the population could have been more significant to draw a
broader conclusion on the benefits of MBMT.
Sample
The sample consisted of 15 women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer stages IIII. “All participants were on an adjunctive chemotherapy that were enrolled in the MBMT
study” (Lesiuk, 2015). The participants were recruited from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer
Center, and the research was conducted by the University of Miami. The participants were all
English-speaking females aged 27 to 72. Even though it was a pilot study, the number of
participants could have been more substantial and from different backgrounds and
socioeconomic statuses to provide a wider variety of responses.
Data Collection
The data collection was conducted using Conner’s Continuous Performance Test II and
the Profile of Mood States-Brief Form. The CPT-II was a computerized test that assessed
attention, impulsivity, and vigilance. This test was done to measure the participants attention.
During the test, the participants had to press the spacebar on the keyboard everytime they saw a
letter of the alphabet other than X that called for significant attention.The POMS-BF was done to
measure the participants mood at the time of testing. According to Nugent , (2013) the POMS is
a self-reporting instrument measuring six dimensions of fluctuating mood swings over time.”
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