Hot and Cold Compress in Hemodialysis

Hacettepe University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hemodialysis Complication; Fatigue; Muscle Spasm

Treatments: Other: Hot and Cold compress, nursing interventions

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04681521

KA-19143

Details and patient eligibility

About

Aims and objectives. To examine and compare the effects of hot and cold compresses administration on muscle cramps, fatigue, and comfort in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Background. Muscle cramps and fatigue are common complications in HD patients and reduce patient comfort. Among the nursing interventions stated for the management of these complications in the literature, hot and cold therapy are remarkable. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first research up to date that examined and compared the effects of hot and cold compress administrations on abovementioned complications in HD.

Design. This placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted in two hemodialysis centers between February and October 2020.

Methods. The study sample consisted of 69 patients, stratified and randomly allocated to two intervention groups and placebo group. For patients of each group, the implementation of the study continued for four weeks, 12 HD sessions.

Full description

Hemodialysis (HD) is a common renal replacement therapy used in the treatment of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) worldwide. Although HD is a life-saving treatment for people with ESRD, it causes some acute and chronic complications. Muscle cramps and fatigue are two of the most common complications in HD, and these also cause reducing comfort. Management of complications in HD patients and ensuring an optimal comfort level are pivotal for nurses. According to the literature, recommended nursing practices for the management of cramps in HD patients include hot and cold therapy methods. Besides, preventing cramps can improve comfort by reducing fatigue. Therefore, this study aimed to examine and compare the effects of hot and cold compresses administration on muscle cramps, fatigue, and comfort in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Enrollment: 69 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• between the ages of 18-65,
• receiving HD treatment for at least six months,
• three days a week with four-hour sessions
• with blood pressure 120/80 mmHg and higher at the beginning of the HD session,
• did not develop intradialytic hypotension in the first two hours of HD,
• hemoglobin value above 8.0 mg/dL,
• having a stable dry weight for the previous month (less than 2 kg change).

Exclusion criteria

• receiving intravenous electrolyte replacement during HD session,
• having a condition that prevented hot or cold administration such as diabetic neuropathy, burns, open wounds, and amputation in the lower extremities,
• with an oncological diagnosis or autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, etc.),
• refused to participate in the study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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69 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

HOT THERAPY:GROUP A

Experimental group

Description:

Hot Compress Group

Treatment:

Other: Hot and Cold compress, nursing interventions

COLD THERAPY:GROUP B

Experimental group

Description:

Cold Compress Group

Treatment:

Other: Hot and Cold compress, nursing interventions

PLACEBO: GROUP C

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Inoperative compress Group

Treatment:

Other: Hot and Cold compress, nursing interventions