The effect of self-selected soothing music on fistula puncture-related pain and comfort levels in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled, single-blind, single-center study

Purpose: To investigate the effect of music therapy on pain and comfort levels in hemodialysis patients. Methods: The study was completed with 30 experimental patients and a 30-member control group receiving treatment in the hemodialysis unit in a hospital in Western Türkiye. Experimental group patients were allowed to listen to a form of music selected by them for approximately 6 min prior to each procedure. No procedure was performed on the members of the control group. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was applied in sessions 1, 6, and 12, and the Hemodialysis Comfort Scale in sessions 1 and 12. The independent sample t test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were employed in data analysis, and Cohen’s d in effect size calculations. Results: Hemodialysis Comfort Scale scores were significantly higher at the end of the study in the experimental group compared to the control group (SMD: 3.54, 95% CI 2.33–4.75) (p < 0.05). Mean VAS scores were significantly lower among the experimental group compared to the control group at the second (6th session) (SMD: 1.94, 95% CI 1.34–2.54) (p < 0.001) and third (12th session) evaluations (SMD: 3.2, 95% CI 1.2.65–3.75) (p < 0.001). VAS scores were also significantly lower in the experimental group at the third evaluation compared to the earlier evaluations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The patients in the experimental group listened to a form of music of their choice before 12 hemodialysis sessions. Music was found to exhibit a positive effect on pain and discomfort in patients receiving hemodialysis. Trial registration: NCT05574595.