Effect of Western-based and five-element music therapy on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Music therapy has emerged as a significant complementary approach to psychotherapy. However, due to the intricate interplay between music and culture, the comparative effectiveness of five-element music therapy and Western music therapy for Chinese patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis warrants further investigation. Methods In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 87 patients on maintenance hemodialysis will be recruited and randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to the five-element music group, Western music group, and control group. Participants in the Five-element music group and Western music group will receive eight weeks of five-element music therapy and Western music therapy, respectively, for 60 min per session, three times per week. All outcome indicators will be measured at baseline, week 4 of the intervention, week 8 of the intervention, and after a follow-up period of 4 weeks at the end of the intervention. The primary outcome indicator will be the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary outcome indicators will include the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI) and the Positive and Negative Emotions Schedule (PANAS). Discussion The trial will evaluate the effects of Western music and traditional Chinese five-element music on emotion, sleep and symptoms of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. This study is expected to provide a more personalized and effective music therapy program for patients on maintenance hemodialysis which can be added to the treatment of patients on maintenance hemodialysis as a non-invasive complementary and alternative therapy to help improve the quality of life of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Trial registration: The trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 14 June 2024 under registration number ChiCTR2400085665.