The effect of music therapy applied to individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment on itching, muscle cramps and comfort

This study was conducted to determine the effect of music therapy applied to individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment on itching, muscle cramps and comfort levels of individuals. This study, which has a single-group pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design, was carried out with 39 individuals who were treated at the Hemodialysis Clinic of Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Training and Research Hospital in Amasya province between December 2023 and January 2024, who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Music therapy was applied to the individuals three times a week for 4 weeks in the form of 30-minute sessions The research data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, 5-D Itch Scale, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (muscle cramp measurement), Hemodialysis Comfort Scale Version II. The mean pre-test score of the 5-D Itch Scale was 14.41±3.36 and the mean post-test score was 10.56±3.24, the mean pre-test score of the Visual Analog Scale for muscle cramp measurement was 7.41±2.08 and the mean post-test score was 5.48±2.34, the mean pre-test score of the Hemodialysis Comfort Scale Version II was 81.58±9.86, while the mean post-test score was 88.69±9.81, and it was found that music therapy provided a significant decrease in itching and muscle cramp levels and a significant increase in comfort levels (t=7.526; t=6,681; t=-8,114; p<0.05). As a result, it has been determined that music therapy applied to individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment provides a decrease in the muscle cramp and itching levels experienced by individuals, and at the same time increases the comfort levels of individuals. It is recommended that nurses use music therapy to reduce itching and muscle cramps, which are common symptoms experienced by individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment, and to increase the comfort levels of individuals.