Improving quality of life in hemodialysis: impact of an occupational therapy program

The aim of this study was to verify the impact of an occupational therapy (OT) program on the Quality of Life (QoL) of hemodialysed patients. Sixty patients with chronic renal disease undergoing regular hemodialysis were involved. A study group composed of 20 subjects was submitted to an OT program while a control group with 40 subjects followed conventional treatment. Upon analyzing the group as a whole, the study group showed significant improvement in mental health (p = 0.05) and the control group showed a deterioration in the pain domain (p = 0.04). No significant change was observed when comparing groups. When the group was divided between the genders, female patients in the study group scored improvements in the categories of Pain, Emotional Aspects, and Mental Health, whereas no corresponding significant change was found in the control group. A significant improvement was observed in the pain domain (p < 0.05) when comparing groups. In male patients, no significant changes were observed in the study group whereas a significant deterioration occurred in functional capacity in the control group. No significant changes were observed when comparing groups. The conclusion is that to improve their QoL occupational therapy may be included in the therapeutic approach for patients under hemodialysis.