Psychological problems as the major cause of fatigue in clients undergoing hemodialysis: A qualitative study.
Zahra Rezaei, Amir Jalali, Rostam Jalali and 1 others
PMID 31406835WHAT IT FOUND
Hemodialysis patients described fatigue as rooted in psychological distress and loss of autonomy, not just physical exhaustion.
They reported feelings of aversion, helplessness, and social isolation, suggesting that emotional support and addressing dependency are key to managing their fatigue.
Key findings
01Patients attributed their fatigue primarily to psychological issues such as stress, burnout, and a sense of hopelessness rather than only physical causes.
02A major theme was 'aversion,' where patients expressed hatred of themselves and their dependence on dialysis machines, with some wishing for death over continued treatment.
03Patients experienced social restrictions and lowered tolerance thresholds, leading to irritability, isolation, and an inability to maintain normal social activities.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 12 participants, which limits the transferability of findings. Only two female participants were included due to cultural constraints, potentially skewing the gender perspective. The interviews were conducted in a specific cultural context (Iran), which may affect how psychological distress and family dynamics are expressed and perceived. Participants were interviewed while experiencing fatigue, which may have affected the depth or clarity of their responses.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that psychological interventions reduce physiological fatigue markers in hemodialysis patients. This study describes patients' subjective experiences of fatigue as psychologically driven, but it does not measure outcomes or test any treatment.