Interdisciplinary Journal of Ethnopsychiatric Nursing (IJEN)
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Interdisciplinary Journal of Ethnopsychiatric Nursing

Classical Gamelan Music Therapy for Sleep Quality and Cardiovascular Parameters in Third-Trimester Pregnant Women: A Case Series

Fitriana Kurniasari Solikhah (Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang)
Hasanudin Hasanudin (Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances severely impact third-trimester pregnant women, increasing adverseobstetric risks. Non-pharmacological interventions are strongly preferred, yet culturally congruenttherapies like classical gamelan music remain critically underexplored in clinical practice.Methods: In this prospective case series conducted between January and March 2026 in Indonesia, weenrolled three third-trimester pregnant women experiencing severe sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh SleepQuality Index [PSQI] >5). Participants received a 3-day classical gamelan music therapy regimen (10–15 minutes, twice daily). The primary outcomes included changes in PSQI global scores and sleepduration, as well as secondary cardiovascular parameters including blood pressure.Result: The three participants, aged 24 to 29 years, presented with severe baseline sleep fragmentation(mean PSQI 13.7). Following the intervention, individual PSQI scores decreased substantially (PatientA: 14 to 9; Patient B: 12 to 8; Patient C: 15 to 10). Mean nightly sleep duration increased from 3.8 to6.0 hours. Concurrently, resting heart rates decelerated from a mean of 102 bpm to 81 bpm, and systolicblood pressure normalized from 129 mmHg to 120 mmHg across all three individual participants.Conclusion: A brief regimen of classical gamelan music therapy appears feasible and is associated withmarked improvements in subjective sleep quality and autonomic regulation in third-trimester pregnantwomen. This culturally congruent, non-pharmacological intervention offers a safe, accessible adjunctivestrategy for gestational sleep management. Future large-scale randomised controlled trials withobjective polysomnographic endpoints are warranted to validate these preliminary findings and establishdefinitive clinical efficacy and safety.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijen

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Nursing Public Health

Description

Dedicated to advancing the integration of ethnographic and psychiatric approaches in mental health nursing. Focusing on culturally sensitive practices, the journal explores the intersection of traditional healing rituals, local customs, and modern psychiatric care, emphasizing cross-cultural studies ...