Music approaches differed in depression scores among Chinese dialysis patients
A randomized trial reported lower depression scores with five-element music than Western music. Sleep and symptom-distress differences were not statistically significant, while inconsistencies limit interpretation of some other mood results.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Among Chinese patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, five-element music was associated with lower depression questionnaire scores than Western music in this randomized trial. Differences in sleep quality and symptom-related distress were not statistically significant. The abstract leaves the timing of the depression estimate unclear and contains inconsistencies that prevent a confident interpretation of some other mood findings.
Some anxiety and positive-emotion estimates conflict with their confidence limits. The abstract does not identify the assessment time for the depression comparison or describe control-group care.
What researchers found
Depression questionnaire score
Five-element music versus Western music, assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The abstract does not specify which assessment time this estimate represents.
Separate outcomes need separate interpretations
The trial assessed anxiety and depression, sleep quality, dialysis symptoms and emotions with questionnaires. A difference in depression scores does not establish improvement in the other outcomes. Nonsignificant sleep and distress comparisons also do not establish equivalence.
Culture was not isolated
The study asked about music approaches in a Chinese dialysis population. Although the authors discuss cultural tailoring, the abstract does not describe the music selections or establish cultural familiarity as the reason for the depression-score difference.
The original publication
Comparing the effects of Western music and five-element music therapy on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial.
Zhang J, Zhang L, Qiu Y et al.
Complement Ther Med · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40523535
- Record checked
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