Benefits of music therapy during kidney dialysis
Researchers at the Cardinal Tien Hospital, in New Taipei City, Taiwan, explored the use of music during hemodialysis as a complementary therapy to improve overall well-being in elderly patients.
First, the details.
- 88 patients on maintenance dialysis were randomly assigned to a treatment group.
- Music group: During the first week they created their own music playlists. During the second week they listened to music from their playlists during each dialysis session (3 times/week).
- Control group
- The authors evaluated changes in perceived stressors and adverse reactions.
- They also recorded changes in physiological indices during the course of the music listening.
And, the results.
- After 1 week of music therapy there were significant reductions stress and in the frequency and severity of adverse reactions during dialysis.
- Significantly decreased respiratory rate and increased finger temperature and oxygen saturation were recorded in the music therapy group during the same period.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Listening to music during hemodialysis may promote overall patient well-being. It may thus serve as a complementary form of therapy that facilitates care and delivery of adequate dialysis and thus improves overall patient well-being in the long run.”
Others have evaluated complementary therapies and reported positive results in patients on dialysis. They include yoga, exercise, and perhaps even religion/spirituality.
7/14/11 17:30 JR
