Hemodialysis patients may experience dialysis-related distress due to long-term treatment requirements, dietary and fluid restrictions, medication use, vascular access problems, dialysis-related symptoms, and psychosocial challenges. Nurse-led self-management programs may help patients improve dialysis self-management, reduce distress, and support treatment adherence.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led needs-based dialysis self-management program on dialysis-related distress in patients receiving hemodialysis. The study will be conducted as a single-center, two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 100 adult hemodialysis patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio.
Participants in the intervention group will receive a 6-week nurse-led needs-based dialysis self-management program in addition to routine hemodialysis care. Participants in the control group will continue routine hemodialysis care. Data will be collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 18 weeks. The primary outcome is dialysis-related distress. Secondary outcomes include illness and treatment uncertainty, treatment adherence, and clinical adherence indicators.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Aged 18 years or older
* Receiving hemodialysis treatment for at least 3 months
* Receiving hemodialysis treatment at least twice per week
* Able to read and understand Turkish
* Conscious and able to communicate
* Providing written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Advanced cognitive impairment
* Active psychiatric crisis
* History of major surgery or acute severe illness within the last 3 months
* Planned kidney transplantation in the near future
* Serious physical or communication problems that may prevent regular participation in the intervention sessions
* Concurrent participation in another structured education or psychosocial intervention program
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
1
Dialysis-Related Distress Assessed by the Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer