Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention During Hemodialysis on Trait Mindfulness, Cognitive Reappraisal, Expressive Suppression, and Quality of Life: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeTo evaluate the short-term effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention delivered during hemodialysis on trait mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and kidney disease-related quality of life (QOL) in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).DesignCluster-randomized, parallel-group, pretest-posttest trial.MethodsAdults receiving maintenance hemodialysis (N = 104 analyzed) were randomized by six dialysis day/shift clusters to a mindfulness intervention (n = 52) or wait-list control group (n = 52). The intervention consisted of a 30-min guided mindfulness protocol three times weekly for 5 weeks during dialysis. Outcomes were measured using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Kidney Disease QOL.ResultsLinear mixed models showed the intervention group achieved significantly higher posttest scores than controls in trait mindfulness (mean difference [MD] = 0.64, p = .004) and cognitive reappraisal (MD = 0.53, p < .001). Regarding health-related QOL domains, significant improvements were found for the physical component summary (MD = 7.35, p < .001), kidney disease effects (MD = 25.82, p = .001), and kidney disease burden (MD = 21.66, p = .001).ConclusionPossible short-term benefits of a dialysis-chair mindfulness intervention for trait mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, and QOL among adults receiving hemodialysis.