[Effects of a pruritus intervention program on pruritus and sleep satisfaction for hemodialysis patients].

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a pruritus intervention program on pruritus and sleep satisfaction in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHOD

This study was designed for a nonequivalent control group repeated measures quasi-experimental study. Hemodialysis patients were recruited from a kidney center at a university hospital located in G city, Korea. The subjects consisted of 43 patients 21 for the experimental group and 22 for the control group. The 2-week pruritus intervention program was given to the experimental group only.. An analytical survey was done before and after the pruritus intervention program.

RESULT

There was a significant decrease in pruritus and increase in sleep satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was significant improvement in clinical symptoms and sleep satisfaction after completing the pruritus intervention program in the experimental group.

CONCLUSION

Pruritus intervention program in hemodialysis patients decreased pruritus severity and increased sleep satisfaction, which can be used as an efficient nursing intervention for hemodialysis patients.