Live music during haemodialysis: A multiple methods randomised controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND
Fatigue is an immense problem among patients undergoing haemodialysis and is associated with anxiety and depression. Live music used in different hospital settings has shown promising effects, but the feasibility and potential effectiveness of live music during haemodialysis are unknown.


OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the feasibility, the participants' musical experience and potential effectiveness of live music on patients' levels of fatigue, relaxation, anxiety, depression, treatment satisfaction and work engagement among nurses.


DESIGN
A pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated with a multiple methods design.


PARTICIPANTS
Two clusters of 12 patients were each randomised to receive either 30 min of live music once a week during haemodialysis or usual care over a period of 6 weeks.


MEASUREMENTS
The primary outcome was patients' immediate fatigue. Other outcomes were patients' long-term and post-dialysis fatigue, relaxation, anxiety, depression, treatment satisfaction and work engagement among nurses. Observations and semi-structured interviews with patients, nurses and musicians were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the musical experience as well as feasibility.


RESULTS
The study was feasible and detected significant differences on immediate fatigue (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.012) in the intervention group compared to controls. Among 17 nurses, a significant difference was found in Dedication (p < 0.024). Furthermore, live music gave patients an uplifting experience, bringing joy and relaxation and the nurses experienced a sense of quietness in a stressful day.


CONCLUSIONS
Providing live music performed by professional musicians in a haemodialysis setting is feasible and showed a significant effect on immediate fatigue and anxiety compared to controls.