The Influence of Psychological Intervention on Cognitive Appraisal and Level of Anxiety in Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

Objective: The great progress with the application of a dialysis allows patients with the end-stage renal disease to live in a satisfactory somatic state for many years. This pilot study examined if the psychological intervention improves psychic state of the patients with renal disease undergoing hemodyalisis. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial using a convenience sample of 62 fully informed and consenting patients with the end-stage renal disease who were assigned to experimental (psychological intervention) or control (usual care) groups. Participants in the experimental group listened to a CD with a psychological intervention twice a day during 3 weeks. The instruments were the Cognitive Appraisal Inventory and the STAI-Anxiety Inventory. Results: After the application of a psychological intervention, the experimental group had a lower level of anxiety t(30) = 2.99; p < .005, a weaker intensity of cognitive appraisal of the treatment situation as a threat t(30)=3.48; p < .05, a weaker intensity of cognitive appraisal of the situation as a harm/loss t(30)=2.75; p < .05 and a stronger intensity of cognitive appraisal of the situation as a challenge t(30) = 3.49; p < .05. The applied psychological intervention makes it possible to decrease the level of anxiety and to change cognitive appraisal of treatment situation. Conclusions: The applied psychological intervention influences the patients' psychological state in a positive way. Such changes may indirectly contribute to improving social contacts as well as to increasing satisfaction with the undertaken