Effect of Breathing Exercises Applied to Hemodialysis Patients on Anxiety, Fatigue and Quality of Life

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Exercise; Hemodialysis
• Interventions: Other: Breathing exercise

• Registration Number: NCT06613048
• Lead Sponsor: Amasya University

Brief Summary

Breathing exercises are one of the non-pharmacological methods frequently used in health care in recent years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of breathing exercises on fatigue, anxiety symptoms and quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Detailed Description

Introduction: Breathing exercises are one of the non-pharmacological methods frequently used in health care in recent years.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of breathing exercises on fatigue, anxiety symptoms and quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Method: This study will be conducted using a randomized controlled experimental research design at the pre-test-post-test level. The research sample will consist of 58 hemodialysis patients who meet the inclusion criteria of the sample and who apply to the hemodialysis unit of a training and research hospital. The research data will be collected using the personal information form, Beck anxiety inventory, Piper fatigue scale and SF-12 quality of life scales. The pre-test data of the research will be filled in the first interview with the patients and the post-test data will be applied at the end of the 6th week.

Conclusion: Maintaining physical and psychological comfort and improving the quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment are among the primary responsibilities of the nurse. In this regard, it is predicted that breathing exercises will be beneficial in controlling physical and psychological symptoms.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Study Start: 2024-09-20
• Study First Submitted: 2024-09-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-09-23
• Study First Posted: 2024-09-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-09-26
• Last Update Posted: 2024-09-27
• Primary Completion: 2025-06-16
• Study Completion: 2025-07-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 58

Inclusion Criteria

• Being over the age of 18
• Being willing to participate in the study
• Speaking and understanding Turkish
• Having started hemodialysis treatment at least 6 months ago

Exclusion Criteria

• Being on hemodialysis treatment with a diagnosis of stage 4 renal failure

• Being on hemodialysis treatment due to acute renal failure

• Having a malignancy related to the respiratory system (bronchus or lung)

• Having chest pain

  . -Having previously done box breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercises/receiving training

• Having cognitive dysfunction

• Not giving consent to participate in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Experimental (breathing exercise)	Breathing exercise	The researcher has a certificate in breathing exercises. Those who consent to participate in the study that meets the research criteria will be given training with a prepared training brochure about correct breathing technique, introduction and function of the diaphragm muscle, box breathing technique, diaphragm breathing technique and benefits of correct breathing before the exercise. Box breathing technique will be applied in addition to standard treatment, 3 sets per day (morning, noon and evening) for 6 weeks, 10 repetitions in each set. Diaphragm breathing exercise will be applied in addition to standard treatment, lasting 2 minutes in the first week, then increasing each week and reaching 12 minutes in the 6th week, as 3 sets (morning, noon and evening).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Beck Anxiety Inventory	6 week	Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is designed to measure the frequency of anxiety symptoms experienced by an individual. The scale, consisting of 21 items, is a Likert-type assessment scale scored between 0-3. Individuals rate each item by giving a score between 0-3 to determine how uncomfortable they have felt for the symptom in each item "including the day of the application, in the last week". The scale scores between 0-63. The high total score indicates the high level of anxiety experienced by the person. While 13 of the items describe physical symptoms, 3 reveal the cognitive aspects of anxiety. 3 items have a physical quality as well as a cognitive quality. Therefore, the BAI includes physiological, affective and cognitive symptoms of anxiety. The Cronbach Alpha value of the scale was determined as 0.92.
Quality of Life Scale	6 week	Quality of Life Scale (SF-12): SF-12; consists of two dimensions measuring physical (6 statements) and mental/psychological (6 statements) functioning. It includes various Likert-type statements (2-point Likert; yes-no or 5-point Likert; always, often, sometimes, very little, never etc.) regarding general health status, activity limits, depression, energy level etc. High scores indicate high quality of life.
Piper Fatigue Scale	6 week	Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS): PFS consists of 22 questions and subjectively evaluates fatigue perception. It has four sub-dimensions: the behavior/severity sub-dimension, which evaluates the effect and severity of fatigue on daily life activities; the affective sub-dimension, which covers the emotional meaning attributed to fatigue; the sensory sub-dimension, which reflects the mental, physical and emotional symptoms of fatigue; and the cognitive/spiritual sub-dimension, which reflects the degree to which fatigue affects cognitive functions and mood. The total score of the scale varies between 0 and 10. A score of 0 indicates no fatigue, 1-3 indicates mild fatigue, 4-6 indicates moderate fatigue, and 7-10 indicates severe fatigue.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Neşe Uysal; 🇹🇷 Amasya, Turkey