Effects of Live Sax Music in Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: A few studies have focused on the effect of music in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Objectives: The determination of the effects of live saxophone music on various physiological parameters and pain, mood and itching levels. Design: A randomised controlled study with 114 patients undergoing haemodialysis with a control group and an experimental group who received 30-minutes of live saxophone music therapy. Measurements: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, glycaemia, oxygen saturation, pain, mood and itching levels were measured before and after the live music performance, resulting in baseline and post-test values for the patients in the experimental group. Results: The experimental group showed a statistically significant reduction in pain level, and an improvement in mood and itching levels and in the oxygen saturation. Conclusions: Live saxophone music could be introduced to improve clinical and quality-of-life measures in patients undergoing haemodialysis. (nursing)