He effect of breathing exercises on anxiety, fatigue and quality of life in hemodialysis patients

This study aims to evaluate the effects of box breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted between February and May 2025, and 52 patients were included in the treatment area of the hemodialysis unit of an educational research hospital. Research data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Piper Fatigue Scale, and the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale. Box and diaphragmatic breathing techniques were taught to patients in the breathing exercises group by the researcher, and a brochure explaining the exercises was also provided. Patients were instructed to practice the techniques regularly for six weeks.They were asked to perform the breathing exercises for six weeks. No intervention was applied to the patients in the control group, and routine care practices continued. Pretest data was collected before the breathing exercises, and posttest data was collected at the end of the sixth week. In this study, the difference between the pre- and post-test anxiety mean scores in the breathing exercise group was found to be statistically significant, with lower anxiety scores in the post-test (p<0,05). In the post-test, the difference in behavioral and emotional subscale and total fatigue mean scores between the breathing exercise and control groups was found to be statistically significant, with higher mean scores in the control group (p<0,05). In the post-test, there were statistically significant differences in mental quality of life and total quality of life scores between the breathing exercise and control groups, with higher mean scores in the breathing exercise group (p<0,05). This study demonstrated the positive effects of breathing exercises on anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life. It is recommended that high-level evidence-based studies be conducted in this area and that breathing exercises be incorporated into hemodialysis patient care practices.