The Effect of Mandala Art Therapy on Comfort Level in Patients Receiving HD Treatment

The number of patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is constantly increasing and the most common method used in the treatment of these patients is hemodialysis (HD). HD is the process of passing the blood taken from the patient through the HD device, regulating fluid and electrolytes, and cleaning waste products such as urea. The aim of this process is to prevent complications, strengthen self-care, and thus increase the patient's quality of life and ensure their comfort. However, patients who receive HD treatment have to deal with various problems. This situation negatively affects the comfort of the HD patient. In addition, many factors such as constantly going to a dialysis center for the HD procedure, restriction of movements during the HD session, and disruption of work harmony and social relationships reduce the comfort of the patients. Therefore, ensuring the comfort of the HD patient is very important. A number of integrative methods are recommended to increase comfort. One of these methods, mandala, is effectively used in the field of art therapy. Mandala, which has a long history and represents integrity, is a Sanskrit word that means "circle" or completion and increases the individual's personal awareness. According to art psychotherapists, mandala painting is one of the main tools of other art psychotherapy techniques that focus on healing. Mindfulness-based activities such as drawing or painting mandalas allow the person to keep their attention in the "moment", make sense of what they have MINIMIDAted, increase their well-being and feel more comfortable. Mandala, which is a concentration method, helps the person stay in the moment. Energy and emotions can also change with the effects of the colors used. It is also emphasized that mandala painting contributes to symptom management, can be used in all age groups and has a positive effect on the treatment process of different diseases and disorders. The natural calming effect of mandala on the mind and body not only strengthens the desire to heal, but also helps the person get rid of psychological fragmentation. In line with these data, it is thought that activities such as mandala can be effective in HD patients who are faced with a large number of stress factors. Therefore, the effect of mandala painting on the comfort level of patients receiving HD treatment was evaluated in this study.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged between 18-65
• Those with no communication problems
• Those who can understand and speak Turkish
• Those who have been receiving HD treatment for at least three months
• Those who have been receiving HD three times a week
• Those who have no visual impairment
• Those who do not have any problems affecting fine motor function in the upper extremities (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
• Those who volunteered to participate in the study were included in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with arteriovenous fistula in the dominant arm
• Patients who had previously undergone mandala application were excluded from the study.