the effect of trancscutaneus electrical acupoint stimulation (teas) on fatigue reduction in hemodialysis patients

background: fatigue is one of the common complications in hemodialysis patients and may affect quality of life. the purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of trancscutaneus electrical acupoint stimulation (teas) on fatigue in these patients. methods: in this quasi-experimental study all chronic hemodialysis patients referred into hemodialysis unit during the study period were recruited. among all patients, 45 subjects were selected fulfilling study criteria. demographic data and brief fatigue inventory (bfi) were collected before, after 5 and 10 session interventions. teas performed using acuhealth set on 2.5 hz for 5 minutes in heugu, saninjiao and zusunlee acupoints within 10 sessions among dialysis treatment. data was analyzed using mc nemar, wilcoxcon and paired t test. results: the results of study indicated that there was significant difference between averages of fatigue intensity, pretreatment, after 5 and 10 sessions of teas sequence (p<0 .0001 and p=0.001). conclusion: performing teas may decrease fatigue in chronic hemodialysis patients. this noninvasive and simple applicable method by nursing staffs for hemodialysis patient highly recommended to be used.