Lower Dialysate Temperature and Post-Dialysis Fatigue

Effect of Lower Dialysate Temperature on Post-Dialysis Fatigue in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis

The standard dialysate temperature is usually set at 36.5°C in hemodialysis applications. Since this temperature is close to the patient's body temperature, it is ideal for preventing the patient from experiencing hypothermia while ensuring cardiovascular stability. In the literature, it is seen that changing the dialysate temperature, especially cold dialysis applications, is used in the management of nausea, the effect on vital signs, determining hemodialysis adequacy and common complications, and in the management of symptoms such as hypotension, cardiac stability, vascular stability, fatigue, and muscle cramps. However, no study has been found using cold dialysis in the management of fatigue that develops after dialysis.Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of cold dialysis application on post-dialysis fatigue in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of cold dialysis application on post-dialysis fatigue in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Research Hypothesis

H1: Reduced dialysate temperature may improve post-dialysis fatigue without compromising thermal comfort

METHOD

Research Design

This study was designed as a single group pre-test-post-test experimental design.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who agreed to participate in the study
• Age 18 and over
• Having been on hemodialysis for at least 6 months
• Having hemodialysis 3 times a week
• Having a post-dialysis fatigue score ≥28.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having an active infection
• Having a body temperature above 37.5°C
• Having serious cardiovascular diseases (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure)
• Having a history of acute complications during dialysis
• Having a history of severe hypotension
• Patients whose dialysis treatment was interrupted