Pain and Anxiety among Hemodialysis Elderly Patients after Cryotherapy Intervention

Abstract

Background: Elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis reported pain, anxiety, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, and dry mouth, loss of appetite, itch, and breathlessness.

 Aim of this study was to evaluate pain and anxiety Among Hemodialysis Elderly Patients After Cryotherapy Intervention.

Research design: A quasi-experimental pretest-and-posttest design was utilized.

Setting: The study was conducted at the hemodialysis unit at the internal medicine department of Zagazig University Hospital and the hemodialysis unit at Al Ahrar hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health.

Subject: This study included 60 elderly patients.

Tools: Three tools were used. Tool I: Structured Interview Questionnaire to assess demographic characteristics and medical history. Tool II: Numerical Rating Pain scale. Tool III: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scale.

Results: Illustrates a statistically significant difference in total mean anxiety score among studied elderly patients pre and post the intervention (P<0.001). Before the intervention, total mean score of anxiety was 35.78+ 6.32 which decreased to 23.78+5.06 at the post intervention phase. This change was statistically significant. Regarding pain, the total mean score of pain was 6.75+1.48 and decreased to 4.68+1.42 in the post-intervention phase. Pain score had a statistically significant positive correlation with the anxiety score.

Conclusion: Cryotherapy intervention was found to be effective in reducing the pain and anxiety levels caused by venipuncture.

Recommendation: It is recommended that Educational programs about the application of cryotherapy intervention and its effect on minimizing pain and anxiety should be conducted for nursing staff and caregivers.