The Effect of Self-selected Soothing Music on Fistula Puncture-related Pain in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to examine the effect of selective soothing music on fistula puncture-related pain in hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized clinical trial in which 114 participants were selected from two hemodialysis units by means of a non-random, convenience sampling method. The participants were then allocated in three groups of music (N = 38), headphone (N = 38), and control (N = 38). The fistula puncture-related pain was measured 1 min after venipuncture procedure in all three groups. The music group listened to their self-selected and preferred music 6 min before needle insertion into a fistula until the end of procedure. The headphone group wore a headphone alone without listening to music 6 min before needle insertion into a fistula until the end of procedure. The control group did not receive any intervention from the research team during needle insertion into a fistula. The pain intensity was measured immediately after the intervention in all three groups. RESULTS: This study showed a significant difference between the music and control groups, and the music and headphone groups in terms of the mean pain score after the intervention. However, the analysis did not indicate any significant difference between the headphone and control groups with regard to the mean pain score after the intervention. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that music can be used effectively for pain related to needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients. Future research should investigate the comparative effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on fistula puncture-related pain

Polymers and polymer composites for adsorptive removal of dyes in water treatment

The discharge of wastewater containing dyes causes severe problems worldwide, which must be properly treated before entering the environment. Adsorption is believed to be one of the favourable techniques to remove dyes because of its environmental and economic sustainability. This chapter reviewed the recent development of polymers and polymer composites reported as adsorbents for treating dye-contaminated wastewater, including surface modification/functionalization of polymers, polyaniline and its composites, magnetic polymer composites, polymer/clay composites and polymer/by-products or waste composites. The adsorption performance of adsorbents was discussed in correlation with a number of factors, such as the properties of dyes, surface chemistry or structures of adsorbents, as well as operation conditions, e.g. initial dye concentration, solution pH, temperature, and the presence of other salts, etc. In addition, the regeneration and reusability of developed adsorbents were covered