The effectiveness of live music in reducing anxiety and depression among patients undergoing haemodialysis. A randomised controlled pilot study

PLoS One. 2024 Aug 26;19(8):e0307661. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307661. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent disorders among individuals undergoing chronic haemodialysis. For patients with kidney disease, the haemodialysis process often exacerbates these conditions. This study aims to investigate the effects of listening to live classical music on anxiety and depression scales during haemodialysis sessions.

Methods: A randomised clinical trial was conducted with a group of patients who listened to live classical music during haemodialysis sessions, while the control group received treatment as usual. Anxiety and depression levels were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of listening to live music. The study comprised 90 patients.

Results: The results demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety and depression among the intervention group, who listened to music, compared to the control group, who did not receive this intervention. Specifically, the intervention group, presented a decrease in score on the anxiety scale of -5.35 (p < 0.001) points on average and a decrease in score on the depression scale of -5.88 (p < 0.001) points on average, while in the control group the levels worsened with the progression of time.

Conclusion: It is concluded that listening to live classical music during haemodialysis sessions reduces anxiety and depression levels in HD patients. This conclusion adds value to listening to live music in the hospital context, specifically in this case, in haemodialysis rooms.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • Anxiety* / therapy
  • Depression* / psychology
  • Depression* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Music / psychology
  • Music Therapy* / methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Renal Dialysis* / adverse effects
  • Renal Dialysis* / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. Funding for open access charge: Universitat Politècnica de València.