Neglected local soundscapes in music therapy: cultural equity in research, policy, and practice in integrative oncology.

While meta-analyses on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have established the role of music therapy (MT) in cancer care, the field remains dominated by Western music traditions and research conducted in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic countries. The paucity of RCTs on local diverse music from the rest of the world limits the patient-centric approach of integrative oncology. This calls for greater inclusion of local and traditional soundscapes in research, clinical practice, and policy. The innate rhythmic, lyrical, or emotive properties of musical traditions, ranging from Indian Ragas to African polyrhythms and Sufi Qawwali, remain underexplored due to a lack of academic infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and funding. Methodological limitations in existing RCTs on local music further hinder their inclusion in meta-analyses and clinical guidelines. Here, seven policy considerations are proposed to address these gaps, including the establishment of research institutes, the development of national regulatory frameworks, the implementation of certified training programs, and targeted advocacy efforts. For music therapy to become truly personalized and globally relevant in integrative oncology, it must reflect the full plurality of the world's musical heritage.