The Effect of Educational Program on Physical Activity and Sleep in Hemodialysis patients: Applying the Self-Efficacy Theory

Background & objectives: Hemodialysis patients with a regular physical activity and proper sleep show better physical and mental health. As increasing self-efficacy of patients can increase these behaviors, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of the self-efficacy theory on physical activity and sleep in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This research was an interventional study performed in Qom city in 2016. Research population was consisted of 70 hemodialysis patients (35 patients in each group). The data collection instruments were demographic questionnaire, self-efficacy (SUPPH) and researcher-made validable and reliable questionnaire of physical activity and sleep, collected in two stages including before and 3 months after education. Educational program, based on the self-efficacy theory, was performed for interventional group during two half-hour sessions. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 with tests including independent T-test, paired T-test, Chi-square and Mann-Whitney at significance level of 0.05. Results: In the interventional group, there was a significant differences between the mean scores of self-efficacy, physical activity and sleep, before and after education (p<0.001). Also, mean scores of self-efficacy, physical activity and sleep after education had significant differences between interventional and control groups (p<0.001). However, intradialytic weight gain (p=0.445) and systolic blood pressure (p=0.241) after education showed no significant differences between interventional and control groups. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that hemodialysis patients’ education based on the self-efficacy theory was positively effective on physical activity and sleep behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended to use this theory with traditional training methods.