A visualisation tape with a Siamese cat on backing vocals is proving a hit with Australian cancer patients.

University of Queensland psychologist and director of student support services, Dr Maureen Burke, produced the tape. She included 'Buddy' the Siamese cat's meowing on the visualisation tape following a close friend's diagnosis with cancer.

The result is BUDDY TARGETS CANCER, where patients are asked to visualise Buddy killing vermin representing their cancer. They are asked to visualise the treatment they are receiving destroying the cancer cells and then visualise the white blood cells finishing the job through eliminating any remaining cancer cells.

Dr Burke presented findings of a pilot study involving the use of the tape by 12 cancer patients at the Seventh European Congress of Psychology held in London in July.

"Of 1200 papers delivered from all over the world, our paper was among just 20 selected for media release", Dr Burke said.

The University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science Associate Professor, Judith Blackshaw, said the health benefits of having animals in nursing homes and hospitals was well documented. "Even though it is difficult to quantitatively measure the benefits, what matters is that people say they feel better after listening," she said.

Dr Burke said while some members of the medical profession were sceptical about the use of complementary therapies, the pilot study results were promising.

"Patients reported going from tense to relaxed in under half an hour. All said the tape had helped them in their resolve to recover," she said.