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Cancer patients are confronted with a life-threatening diagnosis and therapeutic options, such as radiation therapy, with which they are unfamiliar. Despite extensive patient education patients experience anxiety, especially at the beginning of therapy. The huge machines and the rather large treatment rooms - traditionally white and sterile – do not create a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere. Especially with the change from dimmed light for positioning to bright light, and the necessity to lie still and half-naked on an uncomfortable treatment couch. Coloured ambient lighting can help the patients to calm down and feel more comfortable. Additional music in the background can distract the patients from the uncomfortable situation and the anxiety. Patients tend to report these as positive and supportive of their well-being. However, in a previously conducted internal study, we did not find significant changes in anxiety scores. Nevertheless, especially radiation therapists working with patients in the treatment room on a daily basis need to be aware of the possible limitations that these installations in treatment rooms can bring; for example, coloured light can impair the assessment of skin reactions and background music can make communication more difficult. Both of these problems can be circumvented by sophisticated installation with the possibility to easily adjust or turn off these additions in-room. An anticipated potential problem was the effect of the coloured light on surface guidance; however, no negative effect could be found with the two systems used in our department. Catchy music also had no significant effect on intrafraction movement, as patients were aware of the need to remain as still as possible.

In summary, ambient light and music in the treatment room can help the patients relax and feel comfortable, without significantly affecting the work of the radiation therapist, patient positioning and patient care. Potentially, the positive impact on patient well-being and comfort, as well as the calming effect, could possibly even support patient positioning.