Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025

A Murine Model of Hemodialysis Access-Related Hand Dysfunction
Published on: May 31, 2022
Live music during haemodialysis: A multiple methods randomised controlled pilot study
Margrethe Langer Bro1,2,3, Jeanette Finderup4,5,6, Rineke Smilde7,8
1The Danish National Academy of Music, Esbjerg, Denmark.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management
Hemodialysis I: Introduction
Dialysis
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

