The effect of a care plan based on the Roy Adaptation Model on level of Fatigue in hemodialysis patients

Background: Fatigue and lack of energy is a common symptom in hemodialysis patients that affects patients' self care. It can also result in job loss, increased dependence to special health care and increased mortality. Aim: This study examines the effect of employing a care plan based on the Roy Adaptation Model on level of fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Method: This clinical trial was performed on 54 hemodialysis patients admitted in Ghaem and Emam Reza Hospitals in 2010 (random allocated: 28 patients in intervention and 26 patients in control group). The intervention group received the care plan trough a face to face training program in 4 sessions at 3- week interval followed by a follow-up period for 4 weeks later, while the control group only received the regular services from hospital. The data were collected using demographic questionnaire, modified Piper Fatigue Scale, and Roy assessment tool. Data were analyzed using student and paired t test and also two-tailed analysis of variance with SPSS version 13. Results: The results showed no significant difference in terms of fatigue between two groups before intervention but they were significantly different after the intervention (P =0.000). Patients’ fatigue was decreased 19% in patients in intervention group. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the care plan based on the Roy Adaptation Model is an effective, low cost and non-invasive nursing intervention for decreasing fatigue in hemodialysis patients