A scale development study: Hemodialysis comfort scale version II

The relationship between satisfaction with life, dietary attitude, and comfort level in hemodialysis patients: Analysis with machine learning approach

INTRODUCTION

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have become a serious public health problem, the number of which is increasing every year worldwide. This study aimed to determine the relationship between satisfaction with life, dietary attitude, and comfort level in patients receiving HD treatment.

METHODS

This research was conducted in a relational cross-sectional descriptive design. The research was conducted with 174 patients (85% of the population) receiving HD treatment between March 20 and September 30, 2023. In the study, hierarchical regression analysis was performed with SPSS 25.0. Machine learning analysis and prediction were performed using R programming language, version 4.1.3.

RESULTS

The model used to determine the factors affecting satisfaction with life was significant and usable (F(2,171) = 25.855, p = 0.001). Attitudes of HD patients toward dietary therapy and their HD comfort levels together explained 22.3% of the total variance of satisfaction with life. In the regression model, according to the results of the t-test regarding the significance of the regression coefficient, the increase in the HD comfort levels of the participants (t = 2.668, p = 0.008) and the increase in the attitude of the HD patients toward dietary therapy (t = 5.897, p = 0.001) caused a statistical increase in "satisfaction with life." According to Shapley values, the most important variable in the prediction of satisfaction with life variable is attitude for the dietary attitude.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that the increase in the comfort levels of HD patients and their positive dietary attitudes increased satisfaction with life. It is recommended to provide education to increase patients' diet attitudes and comfort levels.

The effect of video training on symptom burden, comfort level, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients: Clustered randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Use of video in patient education is becoming widespread due to its low cost, time management, ease of application, and permanent learning. The study aimed to investigate the effect of video training on the symptom burden, comfort level, and quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

METHODS

In this clustered randomized controlled trial, the patients were randomly assigned to groups by lottery method according to hemodialysis treatment days and sessions. Individuals in the intervention group(n = 26) were screened one episode of the training video in each session for three episodes per week for 12 weeks. Individuals in the control group(n = 22) received only conventional hemodialysis without video training.

RESULTS

At the third and fourth measurement times, in intervention group, mean scores of symptom burden decreased compared to baseline (respectively:40,12 ± 21,63; 22,31 ± 14,08;21,54 ± 16,78), mean scores of comfort level increased (respectively:102,42 ± 13,45; 111,42 ± 8,00;115,04 ± 9,73)(p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in control group(p > 0.05). This study observed a statistically significant difference between quality of life scale scores individuals in intervention group(p < 0,05).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that video training delivered to patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment decreased symptom burden of patients and increased their comfort level, and quality of life.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Video training can be utilized in the educational program of hemodialysis patients.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Assessing Symptoms in Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review Using COSMIN Guidelines

CONTEXT

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) may have an important role in screening and monitoring for unpleasant symptoms in kidney failure. However, there is still little evidence on the psychometric properties of the measures available to assess physical and psychological symptoms in people on hemodialysis. This gap makes it difficult to decide which measure is the most appropriate for use in clinical practice and research with this population.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aimed to critically appraise, compare, and summarize the quality of the measurement properties of PROMs used to assess symptoms in adults on hemodialysis.

METHODS

The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023393441). The last database search update was performed on November 25, 2022. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines informed methodological quality assessment, data extraction, analysis, and synthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven primary studies reported the measurement properties of 16 PROMs used to assess physical and psychological symptoms in adults on hemodialysis. Results showed that most measures lacked the necessary psychometric evidence to attest their suitability for this study population, and few underwent rigorous validation procedures. Overall, caveats were found on methodological quality and evidence of content validity and structural validity, and little data was available on responsiveness, measurement error, and cross-cultural validity.

CONCLUSION

The current systematic review provides the basis for identifying PROMs with potential utility for assessing symptoms in hemodialysis care. Several recommendations are presented to help guide future research aimed at improving the rigor of validation and/or translation procedures of existing (and future) measures using COSMIN guidelines.

A Novel App for Assessing the Caregivers' Physical Activity: A Pilot/Feasibility Study

This study sought to determine the feasibility and clinical value of using a novel mobile application (app) to record the muscle/physical activity (PA) of caregivers. In all, 23 caregivers were enrolled and they were trained to use the app and a wearable device that automatically recorded their care activities and PA/burden. Data were collected for 42 days. Muscle activity was measured for 3 weeks during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and PA. Approximately 80% of the caregivers agreed that they conveniently used the wearable device through the mobile app. The most active %MVIC was noted for the back muscles during feeding assistance. As regard subjective pain evaluation, back pain was the most prevalent and pain level in the left knee was the highest. Incorporating mobile apps with wearable devices to record every activity of the caregivers may be feasible and can provide valuable clinical data for optimizing their pain management.