Audiobook Application in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment

Hemodialysis is an extracorporeal blood purification technique used to remove accumulated metabolic waste products in patients and is a frequently used treatment method in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Although hemodialysis, which is one of the treatment of end-stage renal disease, prolongs life, it can also lead to various psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and severe stress. Psychological disorders and depression in dialysis patients often manifest as a response to loss of ability to work and earn an income, decreased energy, decreased sexual function, other limitations caused by physical disability, and reduced life expectancy.

Depression is the most common psychopathological condition in patients with end-stage renal disease. The rate of depressive symptoms among dialysis patients is high and its prevalence is up to 43%, and it is stated that it has a significant effect on quality of life. The psychological and somatic effects of depression can complicate the course of the chronic disease.

Reading books is one of the tools to heal mental disorders. Some individuals cannot read on their own due to aging, poor eyesight, or lack of literacy. An audiobook is a recording of a book read by an author, actor, celebrity, or amateur. Audiobooks are recommended for their friendliness, comfort, and emotional impact. Audiobooks are recommended to increase the quality of life of individuals and to protect social health.

This research will be conducted to evaluate the effects of audio book application on anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Patient information form, hospital anxiety depression scale, SF-36 quality of life scale will be used to collect research data.

Inclusion criteria

• Over 18 years old,
• Receiving hemodialysis treatment for six months or longer,
• Receiving hemodialysis treatment three times a week,
• No problem with the sense of hearing,
• Has no handicap in answering the questions physically and mentally,
• No verbal communication disability (hearing and speaking),
• Can understand Turkish,
• Not having been diagnosed with a mental illness,
• Patients willing to participate in the study will be recruited

Exclusion criteria

• Those who want to withdraw from the research