Effect of Illness Perception Interventions on Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Illness perception plays an important role in self –care behavior and illness outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. So interventions increasing patients' illness perception can cause improvements in clinical and behavioral outcomes. There are few studies on the interventions of enhancing illness perception on clinical and behavioral outcomes in hemodialysis patients in literature review. Hence, this study with the aim of determining the effect of illness perception promoting interventions on clinical and behavioral outcomes in Hemodialysis patients has been conducted. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 71 patients undergoing hemodialysis were allocated to the intervention (n=38) and control (n=33) groups. For data collection a four part questionnaire consists of socio demographic, treatment adherence questionnaire (ESRD-AQ), were used. After pretest, patients in intervention group received 6 sessions to improve their illness perception individually. Control group just received routine care. 8 weeks later post -test was done in both groups. The data was analyzed by using SPSS software and independent and paired T test. Results: Results show that significant increase in interdialytic weight gain (p=0.001) and blood phosphorus (p=0.02), medication adherence (p=0.01), adherence to liquid limitation (p=0.001), and shortening durance of the hemodialysis sessions (p=0.04) domains in intervention group than control group. Discussion and conclusion: Illness perception promoting interventions causes improvements in some clinical and behavioral outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Considering inadequate literature there is a need for more research in this area.