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The Effect of Stress Ball Use on Comfort, Anxiety, and Patient Satisfaction in Hemodialysis Patients

The Effect of Stress Ball Use on Comfort, Anxiety, and Patient Satisfaction in Hemodialysis Patients

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06977867
Acronym
Stress Ball
Enrollment
36
Registered
2025-05-18
Start date
2025-05-01
Completion date
2025-09-30
Last updated
2025-05-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hemodialysis Patients

Brief summary

Chronic kidney disease represents a significant public health issue both in Türkiye and worldwide, with the majority of patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Individuals receiving hemodialysis often experience not only physical discomfort but also psychological distress, including heightened anxiety and reduced comfort. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of stress ball use on comfort, anxiety, and patient satisfaction among hemodialysis patients. The stress ball is a simple and cost-effective non-pharmacological intervention that aids individuals in managing stress by redirecting their attention. Notably, this study is unique in simultaneously investigating comfort, anxiety, and satisfaction parameters within this patient population.

Interventions

DEVICEStress Ball

All hemodialysis patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be asked to squeeze a stress ball during their dialysis sessions (3 times a week for 1 month, totaling 12 sessions). Anxiety, comfort, and patient satisfaction levels will be assessed using three measurements: a pre-test before the intervention, a mid-test at the end of the 6th session (2nd week), and a post-test after the 12th session. Patients will be instructed to use the stress ball throughout their dialysis session. They will be asked to squeeze the ball for at least 10-15 minutes during each session.

OTHERstandard care

The hemodialysis patients in the control group will not use the stress ball and will receive standard care throughout the study period. Similar to the intervention group, levels of anxiety, comfort, and patient satisfaction will be assessed at three time points: prior to the intervention (pre-test), at the end of the second week (after the 6th session), and at the end of the fourth week (post-test, after the 12th session).

Sponsors

Bitlis Eren University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 98 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Being 18 years of age or older * Being literate * Having no visual or hearing impairments * Being able to communicate verbally * Having no physical disability that would prevent the use of a stress ball * Not having a diagnosed anxiety disorder and not using medication for it * Willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

* Currently using sedative medications * Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder * Having any physical limitation that prevents squeezing a stress ball

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Level of anxiety1 monthThe anxiety levels of patients included in the study will be assessed prior to the intervention using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS scores will be categorized as follows: low anxiety (0-3), moderate anxiety (4-6), and high anxiety (7-10).
Patient's comfort1 monthThe comfort levels of patients using the stress ball during the hemodialysis procedure will be assessed using the Hemodialysis Comfort Scale. The minimum score obtainable from the scale (20) indicates low comfort, while the maximum score (100) reflects high comfort.
Level of patient satisfaction1 monthPatient satisfaction during the hemodialysis procedure among those using the stress ball will be assessed using the Visual Analog Patient Satisfaction Scale. VAS scores will be categorized as follows: low satisfaction (0-3), moderate satisfaction (4-6), and high satisfaction (7-10).

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026