This study aimed to investigate the effects of preferred music listening on anxiety and pain perception in patients undergoing haemodialysis. A two group experimental design was used. Sixty people diagnosed with end stage renal failure undergoing haemodialysis treatment participated in this study. Preferred music listening was applied as an intervention. Anxiety and pain were measured pre-test and post-test. The control group scored significantly higher in state anxiety than the experimental group and experienced significantly higher pain intensity in post-test phase. Findings provide experimental evidence to support the effectiveness of preferred music listening in medical settings.

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IntroductionPartner notification (PN) is a process aiming to identify, test and treat the sex partners of people (index patients) with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Accelerated partner therapy (APT) is a PN method whereby healthcare professionals assess sex partners, by telephone consultation, before giving the index patient antibiotics and STI self-sampling kits to deliver to their sex partner(s). The Limiting Undetected Sexually Transmitted infections to RedUce Morbidity programme aims to determine the effectiveness of APT in heterosexual women and men with chlamydia and determine whether APT could affectChlamydia trachomatistransmission at population level.Methods and analysisThis protocol describes a cross-over cluster randomised controlled trial of APT, offered as an additional PN method, compared with standard PN. The trial is accompanied by an economic evaluation, transmission dynamic modelling and a qualitative process evaluation involving patients, partners and healthcare professionals. Clusters are 17 sexual health clinics in areas of England and Scotland with contrasting patient demographics. We will recruit 5440 heterosexual women and men with chlamydia, aged ≥16 years.The primary outcome is the proportion of index patients testing positive forC. trachomatis12-16 weeks after the PN consultation. Secondary outcomes include: proportion of sex partners treated; cost effectiveness; model-predicted chlamydia prevalence; experiences of APT.The primary outcome analysis will be by intention-to-treat, fitting random effects logistic regression models that account for clustering of index patients within clinics and trial periods. The transmission dynamic model will be used to predict change in chlamydia prevalence following APT. The economic evaluation will use mathematical modelling outputs, taking a health service perspective. Qualitative data will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and framework analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol received ethical approval from London—Chelsea Research Ethics Committee (18/LO/0773). Findings will be published with open access licences.Trial registration numberISRCTN15996256.

This paper highlights a number of key benefits connected with music therapy for patients with cancer and the effectiveness of IPA in applied health psychology research.

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ObjectivesTo develop a classification of sexual partner types for use in partner notification (PN) for STIs.MethodsA four-step process: (1) an iterative synthesis of five sources of evidence: scoping review of social and health sciences literature on partner types; analysis of relationship types in dating apps; systematic review of PN intervention content; and review of PN guidelines; qualitative interviews with public, patients and health professionals to generate an initial comprehensive classification; (2) multidisciplinary clinical expert consultation to revise the classification; (3) piloting of the revised classification in sexual health clinics during a randomised controlled trial of PN; (4) application of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify index patients’ willingness to engage in PN for each partner type.ResultsFive main partner types emerged from the evidence synthesis and consultation: ‘established partner’, ‘new partner’, ‘occasional partner’, ‘one-off partner’ and ‘sex worker’. The types differed across several dimensions, including likely perceptions of sexual exclusivity, likelihood of sex reoccurring between index patient and sex partner. Sexual health professionals found the classification easy to operationalise. During the trial, they assigned all 3288 partners described by 2223 index patients to a category. The TDF analysis suggested that the partner types might be associated with different risks of STI reinfection, onward transmission and index patients’ engagement with PN.ConclusionsWe developed an evidence-informed, useable classification of five sexual partner types to underpin PN practice and other STI prevention interventions. Analysis of biomedical, psychological and social factors that distinguish different partner types shows how each could warrant a tailored PN approach. This classification could facilitate the use of partner-centred outcomes. Additional studies are needed to determine the utility of the classification to improve measurement of the impact of PN strategies and help focus resources.

PurposeThis paper illustrates initial steps of an intervention optimisation process. Self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) are widely offered within the UK, yet have problems with reach and sample return rates. They have arisen without any formal intervention development.MethodsEleven focus groups and seven interviews were conducted with convenience samples of patients recruited from sexual health clinics and members of the public in late 2017 (n=57). To enable intervention optimisation firstly we formulated initial programme theory situating the intervention. Secondly, we conducted an inductive appraisal of the behavioural system of using the pack to understand meaningful constituent behavioural domains. Subsequently we conducted a thematic analysis of barriers and facilitators to enacting each sequential behavioural domain in preparation for future behaviour change wheel analysis.ResultsOverall, we found that self-sampling packs were acceptable. Our participants understood their overall logic and value as a pragmatic intervention that simultaneously reduced barriers to, and facilitated, individuals being tested for STIs. However, at the level of each behavioural domain (e.g., reading leaflets, returning samples), problems with the pack were identified as well as a series of potential optimisations which might widen the reach of self-sampling and increase the return of viable samples.ConclusionsThis paper provides an example of a pragmatic approach to optimising an intervention already widely offered across the UK. The paper demonstrates the added value health psychological approaches make; systematically considering the context of the intervention, in addition to illuminating granular areas for improvement.What is already known on this subject?The use of self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) has been widely implemented without in-depth assessment of user engagement or theorisationSome evidence suggests that the uptake of self-sampling packs, and the concomitant return of samples to enable diagnosis, are socially patternedDespite increasing and widespread use of self-sampling packs across the UK, relatively little is currently known about their acceptability, or how they could be improvedWhat does this study add?This study provides an illustrative example of using a preliminary programme theory to situate the problem to be addressed by intervention optimisationThe thematic analyses show that self-sampling packs offer a largely acceptable means to enabling STI and BBV testing and diagnosis; they remove many barriers to testing. However, several modifiable barriers to use endure, potentially reducing sample return and amplifying health inequalitiesThis study presents a range of barriers and facilitators to the various behavioural domains included within the use of self-sampling packs. It summarises the findings ready for subsequent behaviour change wheel analyses

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