Objective:To investigate the effect of music therapy on depression and anxiety status in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods:The study was a single-center, open, and randomized controlled trial. The patients with regular hemodialysis of more than 3 months and the Beck depression inventory (BDI) scores ≥10 in China Rehabilitation Research Center from March 1 to April 24, 2021 were selected. Random envelope method was used to divide the enrolled patients into music group and control group. The music therapist selected the treatment music and established the preset repertoire library in the music therapy programs, and the total duration of music was about 2 hours. The music group received listening music therapy of 1.0 to 1.5 hours 3 times a week during routine hemodialysis treatment, while the control group only received routine hemodialysis treatment. All the enrolled patients completed treatment of 8 weeks. The BDI and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) were used to assess the psychological status of MHD patients before and after treatment.Results:A total of 64 MHD patients were enrolled, aged (59.19±11.61) years old, among whom 38 patients (59.38%) were males. There were 32 patients in the music group and 32 patients in the control group. BDI scores [2 weeks (9.81±6.25) scores, 8 weeks (8.30±8.49) scores, F=49.75, P<0.001] and STAI scores [2 weeks (49.30±7.27) scores, 8 weeks (47.07±7.39) scores, F=13.09, P<0.001] in the music group decreased significantly after 2 weeks of treatment and remained stable for 8 weeks. After treatment, the BDI scores in the music group were significantly lower than those in the control group [2 weeks (9.81±6.25) scores vs (14.13±7.33) scores, t=-2.53, P=0.014; 8 weeks (8.30±8.49) scores vs (12.56±5.67) scores, t=-2.34, P=0.023], and STAI scores in the music group were significantly lower than those in the control group [2 weeks (49.30±7.27) scores vs (54.00±8.36) scores, t=-2.06, P=0.043; 8 weeks (47.07±7.39) scores vs (51.34±8.87) scores, t=-2.06, P=0.044]. Conclusion:Music therapy can improve depression and anxiety of MHD patients quickly and effectively.