Sleep Hygiene Training Program for Patients on Hemodialysis

Abstract

Introduction. The high prevalence of sleep disorders highlights the importance of its treatment in hemodialysis patients. Due to complications of hypnotic medications, considering effective nonpharmacological methods to improve sleep quality is important. This study has conducted to determine the effect of a sleep hygiene training program on sleep quality of hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 82 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected and allocated to the intervention (n = 41) and control (n = 41) groups. A 1-month sleep hygiene program was provided to the intervention group within 6 sessions, and the sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and after the intervention. The global and components scores were compared between the two groups.

Results. The mean global scores and component scores of sleep quality were not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention. The mean global score of sleep quality of the intervention group significantly reduced after sleep hygiene education, as compared to the baseline values. The mean global score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group after the intervention (intervention, 9.92 ± 3.80 versus control, 13.05 ± 4.28). Also, the mean scores subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction were significantly lower in the intervention group.

Conclusions. The findings of this study suggest that nursing and physicians team should consider reducing sleep problems of hemodialysis patients by training sleep hygiene.