The effect of therapeutic touch and music rest on sleep parameters in children with liver transplantation

Abstract

PurposeThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of therapeutic touch and music rest on the sleep of children with liver transplantation. Design and methodsThe data of the study were collected between February 2021 and November 2021. The study was completed with 50 patients included in the therapeutic touch and music rest groups. Therapeutic touch and music practices were applied for three consecutive days, once a day and 20 min. Before and after the practices, the 24-h sleep of the children was evaluated with actigraphy. ResultsIt was determined that the time in bed, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency of the children in the therapeutic touch group increased after the procedure. On the other hand, it was determined that the time in bed, and total sleep time increased, and the onset latency decreased after the procedure in the children in the music rest group. It was determined that the effects of therapeutic touch and music rest applications on sleep parameters after the procedure were similar. ConclusionIt has been determined that therapeutic touch and music rest applications have an improving effect on the sleep of children with liver transplantation. Practice implicationsMusic rest and therapeutic touch, which are non-pharmacological methods that do not increase the burden of the liver, can be used by health professionals to support the sleep of children with liver transplantation.