The effects of therapeutic touch and music on sleep quality, menopausal symptoms, and quality of life in menopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the effects of therapeutic touch (TT) and music on sleep quality, menopausal symptoms, and quality of life in menopausal women.

METHODS: This study was carried out in an experimental model with a pretest, a posttest, and a control group. The study was completed with a total of 108 menopausal women in the TT, music, and control groups. Data were collected using a Participant Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Menopause Rating Scale, and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale. TT was applied in the TT group once a week for 4 weeks, and the music group was asked to listen to music for 30 minutes before bedtime every day for 4 weeks. Posttest data were collected in all groups 4 weeks after the pretest. The χ2, analysis of covariance, post hoc tests, and partial η2 methods were used to analyze the collected data.

RESULTS: When the effect of the pretest scores was adjusted, compared with the control group, there were statistically significant differences in the posttest scores of the participants in both the TT and music groups in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index dimensions of subjective sleep quality (P < 0.001), sleep latency (P ≤ 0.001), and sleep disturbances (P < 0.05). When the effect of the pretest scores was adjusted, compared with the control group, there were statistically significant differences in the posttest scores of the participants in both the TT and music groups in the Menopause Rating Scale and Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that TT and music increased sleep quality (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and sleep disturbances) and quality of life and reduced menopausal symptoms.