HemodialysisMUSIC-ACUPNCT07657923
Music-Assisted Acupressure for Pain During AVF Cannulation in Hemodialysis Patients
A study testing Music Therapy, Acupressure and Music-Assisted Acupressure in people with Hemodialysis and Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation, run by Gülsüm Gülşen at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of music-assisted acupressure on pain experienced during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in hemodialysis patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Hemodialysis, Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation, Procedural Pain
- What is being tested?
- Music Therapy, Acupressure and Music-Assisted Acupressure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2024to 30 Nov 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Receiving hemodialysis treatment three times per week
- Presence of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for vascular access
- Ability to communicate in Turkish
- No use of analgesic medication prior to AVF cannulation
- No pain or pathology in the upper extremities that could affect intervention application or pain assessment
- Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of neuropathy
- History of upper extremity surgery or soft tissue injury
- Presence of bleeding disorders or coagulation disorders
- Diagnosis of heart failure
- Presence of a pacemaker
- Inability to comply with study procedures or complete data collection
- Any condition that could interfere with pain perception or the application of acupressure or music intervention
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Gaziantep Şehir Hastanesi
Gaziantep, Şahinbey, 27470
About this study
Official title: Effect of Music-Assisted Acupressure on Pain During Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of music-assisted acupressure on pain experienced during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in hemodialysis patients. The study was carried out with 72 patients receiving hemodialysis treatment three times per week via AVF in a state hospital in Gaziantep, Türkiye.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: music-assisted acupressure, acupressure alone, music alone, and control group (routine care). The acupressure intervention was applied to the Hegu (LI4) point for approximately 3 minutes prior to needle insertion, while the music intervention consisted of listening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones starting 5 minutes before cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure.
Read more
Pain intensity during AVF cannulation was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during three consecutive dialysis sessions. The primary outcome was pain severity during needle insertion. The study aimed to determine whether combining music therapy and acupressure would provide greater pain relief compared to single interventions or routine care.
Findings suggest that music-assisted acupressure may be an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention for reducing procedural pain in hemodialysis patients.
Read the detailed description
This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of music-assisted acupressure on procedural pain during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The study was conducted between March and November 2024 in the hemodialysis unit of a state hospital in Gaziantep, Türkiye.
A total of 72 eligible patients receiving hemodialysis treatment via AVF were included. Patients were randomly assigned into four equal groups (n=18 per group): music-assisted acupressure, acupressure, music, and control. Randomization was performed using a simple lottery method. All AVF cannulation procedures were performed by the same experienced dialysis nurse to ensure procedural consistency.
The acupressure intervention was applied to the Hegu (LI4) point on the hand contralateral to the AVF site. Finger pressure was applied perpendicularly for approximately 3 minutes prior to needle insertion. The music intervention consisted of listening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones, beginning 5 minutes before cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure.
Participants in the combined intervention group received both acupressure and music simultaneously using the same protocols described above. The control group received routine hemodialysis care without additional intervention.
Pain intensity during AVF cannulation was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10) immediately after each procedure. Measurements were repeated over three consecutive hemodialysis sessions. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected using a structured patient information form.
The primary outcome of the study was pain intensity during AVF cannulation. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests due to non-normal distribution, including Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, and Brunner-Langer models for repeated measures. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
- Being tested
- Music Therapy, Acupressure, Music-Assisted Acupressure, Standard Care
- Keywords
- Hemodialysis, arteriovenous fistula, acupressure, music therapy, procedural pain, nursing care
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Procedural, Arteriovenous Fistula
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Music TherapyOther
Participants listened to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure.
AcupressureOther
Manual acupressure applied to the Hegu (LI4) point on the hand contralateral to the AVF site for approximately 3 minutes prior to AVF cannulation.
Music-Assisted AcupressureOther
Listening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music (Acemaşiran mode) via headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing throughout the procedure.
Standard CareOther
Routine hemodialysis care without additional music or acupressure intervention during AVF cannulation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Music-Assisted Acupressure Group | Other | Listening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music (Acemaşiran mode) via headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing throughout the procedure. Receives: Other: Music-Assisted Acupressure |
| Acupressure | Other | Manual acupressure applied to the Hegu (LI4) point on the hand contralateral to the AVF site for approximately 3 minutes prior to AVF cannulation. Receives: Other: Acupressure |
| Music Group | Other | Participants listened to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure. Receives: Other: Music Therapy |
| Standard Care | Other | Routine hemodialysis care without additional music or acupressure intervention during AVF cannulation. Receives: Other: Standard Care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity During AVF Cannulation (VAS Score)
Pain intensity experienced during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Measurements were obtained immediately after each cannulation procedure across three consecutive hemodialysis sessions.
Measured: During each hemodialysis session over 3 consecutive sessions (March-November 2024)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Pain Scores Over Time
Changes in pain intensity across repeated AVF cannulation procedures were evaluated to assess the consistency and trend of intervention effects over time among study groups.
Measured: Baseline and across 3 consecutive hemodialysis sessions
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2024
- Primary completion30 Nov 2024
- Study completion30 Nov 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HemodialysisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Model description
- This study employed a 2×2 factorial randomized controlled design to evaluate the independent and combined effects of music therapy and acupressure on procedural pain during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in hemodialysis patients. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: music-assisted acupressure, acupressure only, music only, or routine care (control). This design allowed the assessment of main effects of each intervention as well as their potential interaction effect on pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gülsüm Gülşen
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Gülsüm Gülşen, Gaziantep City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07657923
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- GAÜN-SBF-PHD-001
- Acronym
- MUSIC-ACUP
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared. The dataset includes sensitive clinical information from patients undergoing hemodialysis, and ethical approval and informed consent were obtained under the condition that data would be used only for scientific analysis within the research team. Due to privacy and confidentiality considerations, and in accordance with institutional data protection policies, individual-level data will not be made available for external sharing. Aggregated results are reported in the publication.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Music-Assisted Acupressure on Pain During Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07657923
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MUSIC-ACUP / GAÜN-SBF-PHD-001
- Keywords
- Hemodialysis, arteriovenous fistula, acupressure, music therapy, procedural pain, nursing care
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gülsüm GülşenUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of music-assisted acupressure on pain experienced during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in hemodialysis patients. The study was carried out with 72 patients receiving hemodialysis treatment three times per week via AVF in a state hospital in Gaziantep, Türkiye.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: music-assisted acupressure, acupressure alone, music alone, and control group (routine care). The acupressure intervention was applied to the Hegu (LI4) point for approximately 3 minutes prior to needle insertion, while the music intervention consisted of listening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones starting 5 minutes before cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure.
Pain intensity during AVF cannulation was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during three consecutive dialysis sessions. The primary outcome was pain severity during needle insertion. The study aimed to determine whether combining music therapy and acupressure would provide greater pain relief compared to single interventions or routine care.
Findings suggest that music-assisted acupressure may be an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention for reducing procedural pain in hemodialysis patients.
Detailed description
This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of music-assisted acupressure on procedural pain during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The study was conducted between March and November 2024 in the hemodialysis unit of a state hospital in Gaziantep, Türkiye.
A total of 72 eligible patients receiving hemodialysis treatment via AVF were included. Patients were randomly assigned into four equal groups (n=18 per group): music-assisted acupressure, acupressure, music, and control. Randomization was performed using a simple lottery method. All AVF cannulation procedures were performed by the same experienced dialysis nurse to ensure procedural consistency.
The acupressure intervention was applied to the Hegu (LI4) point on the hand contralateral to the AVF site. Finger pressure was applied perpendicularly for approximately 3 minutes prior to needle insertion. The music intervention consisted of listening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones, beginning 5 minutes before cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure.
Participants in the combined intervention group received both acupressure and music simultaneously using the same protocols described above. The control group received routine hemodialysis care without additional intervention.
Pain intensity during AVF cannulation was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10) immediately after each procedure. Measurements were repeated over three consecutive hemodialysis sessions. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected using a structured patient information form.
The primary outcome of the study was pain intensity during AVF cannulation. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests due to non-normal distribution, including Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, and Brunner-Langer models for repeated measures. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- This study employed a 2×2 factorial randomized controlled design to evaluate the independent and combined effects of music therapy and acupressure on procedural pain during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation in hemodialysis patients. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: music-assisted acupressure, acupressure only, music only, or routine care (control). This design allowed the assessment of main effects of each intervention as well as their potential interaction effect on pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Music-Assisted Acupressure Group | Other | Other: Music-Assisted AcupressureListening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music (Acemaşiran mode) via headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing throughout the procedure. |
| Acupressure | Other | Other: AcupressureManual acupressure applied to the Hegu (LI4) point on the hand contralateral to the AVF site for approximately 3 minutes prior to AVF cannulation. |
| Music Group | Other | Other: Music TherapyParticipants listened to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure. |
| Standard Care | Other | Other: Standard CareRoutine hemodialysis care without additional music or acupressure intervention during AVF cannulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Receiving hemodialysis treatment three times per week
- Presence of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for vascular access
- Ability to communicate in Turkish
- No use of analgesic medication prior to AVF cannulation
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Diagnosis of neuropathy
- History of upper extremity surgery or soft tissue injury
- Presence of bleeding disorders or coagulation disorders
- Diagnosis of heart failure
- Presence of a pacemaker
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Music TherapyParticipants listened to instrumental Classical Turkish Music in the Acemaşiran mode through headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing until the end of the procedure. | Other | Music Group |
| AcupressureManual acupressure applied to the Hegu (LI4) point on the hand contralateral to the AVF site for approximately 3 minutes prior to AVF cannulation. | Other | Acupressure |
| Music-Assisted AcupressureListening to instrumental Classical Turkish Music (Acemaşiran mode) via headphones starting 5 minutes before AVF cannulation and continuing throughout the procedure. | Other | Music-Assisted Acupressure Group |
| Standard CareRoutine hemodialysis care without additional music or acupressure intervention during AVF cannulation. | Other | Standard Care |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity During AVF Cannulation (VAS Score)
Time frame: During each hemodialysis session over 3 consecutive sessions (March-November 2024)
Pain intensity experienced during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Measurements were obtained immediately after each cannulation procedure across three consecutive hemodialysis sessions.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Pain Scores Over Time
Time frame: Baseline and across 3 consecutive hemodialysis sessions
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jun 2026.
- Pain on arteriovenous fistula cannulation: A narrative reviewLink provided by the sponsor.
- KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access: 2019 UpdateLink provided by the sponsor.
- Cannulation Technique of Vascular Access in Haemodialysis and the Impact on the Arteriovenous Fistula Survival: Protocol of Systematic ReviewLink provided by the sponsor.
- How to needle: A mixed methods study on choice of cannulation technique for arteriovenous fistulaLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared. The dataset includes sensitive clinical information from patients undergoing hemodialysis, and ethical approval and informed consent were obtained under the condition that data would be used only for scientific analysis within the research team. Due to privacy and confidentiality considerations, and in accordance with institutional data protection policies, individual-level data will not be made available for external sharing. Aggregated results are reported in the publication.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Music Therapy, Acupressure and Music-Assisted Acupressure in people with Hemodialysis and Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation, run by Gülsüm Gülşen at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity During AVF Cannulation (VAS Score) (time frame: During each hemodialysis session over 3 consecutive sessions (March-November 2024)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Jun 2026.