The Effect of Relaxation Techniques on Vital Signs in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience fluctuations in vital signs during dialysis sessions, necessitating the search for safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions to support their physiological stability.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of applying relaxation techniques on the vital signs of hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 80 patients equally distributed into two groups (experimental and control). The experimental group received a set of relaxation techniques (including deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, positive guided imagery, and mindfulness meditation) during hemodialysis sessions, while the control group received routine nursing care only. Vital signs (pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were measured before and after the intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon & Mann–Whitney) due to the nature of the data distribution.

Results: The results showed a highly statistically significant decrease (p ≤ 0.001) in pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure among the experimental group compared to the control group, with large effect sizes recorded, reflecting the practical effectiveness of the intervention.

Conclusion and Recommendations: The study concludes that applying relaxation techniques is an effective and safe non-pharmacological intervention for improving and maintaining the stability of vital signs in hemodialysis patients during dialysis sessions. The study recommends incorporating these techniques into routine nursing care protocols, with the need for future long-term, multi-center studies with a larger sample size to assess the sustainability of the physiological effects and the underlying mechanisms.