Reading aloud to people undergoing cancer treatment may reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and improve wellbeing according to a new South Australian study.
Reading for pleasure has long been acknowledged as beneficial to physical and mental health. Many studies confirm bibliotherapy, or reading for therapy, has a meaningful place in the treatment toolkit for mild to moderate mental health conditions, chronic pain and loneliness.
However, the joy and health benefits of reading can be denied to those undergoing cancer treatment because reading can become a frustrating, demanding activity due to cancer-related cognitive impairment.
A new research project from South Australia has revealed that reading to people undergoing cancer treatment has a wide range of benefits – including reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and improved wellbeing.
Researcher, Elizabeth Wells, says: “While working in small public libraries in central Victoria, I noticed a pattern of people undergoing cancer treatment losing their ability to read for pleasure, at a time when the therapeutic (and distracting) benefits of reading would have been particularly helpful.”
The study examined the effects of reading aloud on 38 participants undergoing cancer treatment through weekly reading sessions, delivered in person and online. The program was tailored to each participant based on their current or previous reading preferences, or viewing preferences for non-readers.
Wells says: “Key wellbeing themes that arose from participants of the program were relaxation, mood lift, increased self-efficacy, ‘time out’ and feelings of warmth. The value of distraction and escapism was huge, with benefits to mood, pain relief and relief from nausea. Human interaction and program personalisation were also highly valued: the sense of connection with the reader was important, as was the choice of reading material.”
Read the full research article, and find out more about Reading for Wellbeing – including book recommendations and training for reading volunteers within families and in hospitals.