Efficacy of Psychological Interventions in Reducing the Prevalence and Intensity of Depression in Patients with Long-Term Hemodialysis

Background: People with end‐stage renal disease treated with long- term hemodialysis is frequently affected bymajor depression, which results in poor patients'outcomes; therefore, psychological interventions are crucial. Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of psychological interventions in reducing the prevalenceand intensity of depression in patients with long -term hemodialysis. Design: A one group quasi-experimentaldesign that measures change in depression pre and post psychological interventions. Setting: This study wasconducted at the hemodialysis unit (HD) in Dyarb Negm Central Hospital in Dyarb Negm City, in the SharkiaGovernorate. Subjects: A purposive sample of 100 adult patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who areon regular hemodialysis therapy in the study setting and have agreed to participate in the study. Tools: Patients'baseline demographic and medical data structured interview questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory. Results:The current study findings revealed that all of the studied patients had depression, and the majority suffered fromsevere depression pre- intervention phase, while the intensity of depression for the majority reduced to a mild levelpost-intervention phase. Conclusion: There were statistically significant differences in depression and its' intensitypre-and post-psychological interventions. Recommendation: The study recommends that all ESRD patients onregular hemodialysis undergo periodic psychological evaluations in order to detect any disturbances early. Furtherresearch is proposed to examine the efficacy of such psychological interventions on the quality of life of patients onregular hemodialysis.