EFFECT OF AUDITORY RELAXATION INTERVENTION ON INTRADIALYTIC PHYSIOLOGICAL STABILITY IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis frequently experience intradialytic complications, including blood pressure fluctuations and headaches, which negatively affect treatment tolerance and overall wellbeing. Non-pharmacological supportive interventions, such as auditory relaxation therapy, may provide beneficial effects when integrated into routine dialysis care to enhance physiological stability and patient comfort.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of auditory relaxation intervention on intradialytic physiological stability among patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods: A pre-post quasi experimental study was conducted among 35 CKD patients receiving hemodialysis for at least three months at the Dialysis Centre of DHQ Hospital Sheikhupura. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. The auditory relaxation intervention consisted of listening to a recorded recitation during hemodialysis sessions under standardized conditions. Clinical parameters, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as the frequency and severity of headaches, were recorded before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Paired sample t tests were applied to determine statistical differences between pre and post intervention measures.

Results: Significant reductions were observed in physiological complications following the intervention. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 160.57 ± 18.78 mmHg to 136.71 ± 11.97 mmHg, with a mean reduction of 23.85 mmHg (t(34)=8.44, p<0.001). Mean diastolic blood pressure declined from 92.29 ± 12.85 mmHg to 78.66 ± 7.09 mmHg, showing a mean reduction of 13.62 mmHg (t(34)=6.34, p<0.001). Headache severity also improved substantially, with headache-free participants increasing from 5.7% pre-intervention to 60.0% post-intervention, while severe headache was completely eliminated.

Conclusion: Auditory relaxation intervention during hemodialysis sessions may contribute to the reduction of intradialytic complications and improvement of physiological stability among patients with chronic kidney disease. Incorporating non-pharmacological supportive interventions into routine dialysis care may enhance patient comfort and promote holistic patient management in clinical settings.