Musical Breaks—Live Music in a Hemodialysis Setting—A Qualitative Study on Patient, Nurse, and Musician Perspectives

Abstract

The aim of this hermeneutic-phenomenological study was to explore the perspectives of 12 patients, 17 nurses, and 4 musicians on patient-tailored live music interventions in a hemodialysis setting. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were collected—17 with patients, 9 with nurses. Furthermore, 18 moderate participation observations, whilst 1 semi-structured group interview with 3 nurses and 3 musicians, and 13 reflective journals from musicians were collected. Within the analysis—based on Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation—two overall themes emerged: (1) the inner space and (2) the participating space, followed by five subthemes: (1a) Entering a calm and enjoyable pause bubble; (1b) Resting in a thought-free state of mind; (1c) Traveling in the past and catching the moment through heartfelt music; (2a) Bringing positive changes into life; (2b) The artistic quality mediating a magnificent and beautiful experience. We found that patient-tailored live music was a meaningful break, influencing mental and physical well-being, time perception, community, work environment, and artistic approach. The artistic quality of the music was essential—together with the musicians’ social awareness, empathy, and ability to interact with the patients—in creating meaningful moments for patients and staff. Overall, the music interventions were a welcome change in a predictable world of stressful routines and repetitive treatments.