Abstract:Objective To evaluate the efficacy of music combined with aromatherapy in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy after operation. Methods Totally 220 patients with colorectal cancer from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2014 were collected and divided into observation group and control group with 110 cases in each group. Music and aromatherapy were given to the observation group after operation till hospital discharge, while the patients in the control group received only routine care. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain conditions 1, 4 and 7 days after operation and before hospital discharge. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to evaluate the mood and sleep before and after chemotherapy. Additionally, the number of patients with nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy were also recorded. Results Compared with the control group, pain, anxiety and depression levels were significantly decreased in the observation group (P < 0.05); while sleep quality was improved significantly (P < 0.05). At the same time, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Conclusions The combined application of music and aromatherapy is effective and worthy of promotion in colorectal cancer patients with chemotherapy after operation.