In the Bible, young David played the harp to soothe a troubled King Saul. Today, live harp music helps relax patients undergoing chemotherapy in the Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center, thanks to local musician Betsy Scott Chapman.

Patients find the live harp music distracting and even report less anxiety, fatigue, pain and nausea and less need for medication to control vomiting.

“We see the difference. They complain less of anxiety and have an overall feeling of peace and serenity,” says oncology director Peggy Neese, RN, BSN, OCN.

Harp therapy is one component of the Cancer Center’s innovative complementary medicine program. Complementary therapies are treatments outside the mainstream of Western medicine that promote healing through relaxation, meditation and healthy living.

Complementary programs at the Cancer Center also include massage and Reiki therapy.