CompletedNot Applicable

Thermotherapy for Reducing Pain During Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation

Turkey (Türkiye)51 participantsStarted 2026-04-06

Plain-language summary

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation is a routine procedure for people receiving haemodialysis and is frequently associated with pain. Thermotherapy has been reported as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing AVF cannulation-related pain; however, the optimal application duration remains unclear.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 years and older * Patients who received hemodialysis (HD) treatment with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for at least 3 months * Patients receiving HD treatment 3 days a week for 4 hours each session * Patients with a pain score of ⩾1 during AVF cannulation, measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) * Patients able to communicate in Turkish * Patients without psychiatric disorders that impair communication * Patients who agreed to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who were known to present difficulties with fistula cannulation (requiring multiple cannulations) * Patients with a history of hematoma or stenosis in the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) * Patients with an infection at the fistula site * Patients who took painkillers within 3 hours prior to treatment * Hypersensitivity reactions and circulatory disorders due to thermotherapy * Sensory or cognitive impairment preventing a proper assessment of pain * Patients who did not wish to participate in the study

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change From Baseline Fistula Cannulation Related Pain

Timeframe: Up to 2 weeks (3 hemodialysis sessions in a week)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07662564

SponsorIstanbul University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Dialysis trials