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4-7-8 Breathing for Fatigue and Sleep Management in Hemodialysis
Sponsor: Izmir Kavram Vocational School
Summary
For many hemodialysis patients, fatigue and sleep disturbances are common and debilitating side effects that severely impact daily life and quality of life. In this study, patients will be taught a simple breathing exercise called the 4-7-8 technique to help manage these symptoms. A total of 80 adult patients undergoing regular hemodialysis at Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital will be randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group and a control group. Participants in the intervention group will receive a face-to-face training session from a research nurse and a short instructional video sent to their smartphones to encourage daily home practice, especially before bedtime. The program will be continued over the study period. Participants in the control group will continue with their current routine hemodialysis care without any structured breathing exercises. Fatigue levels, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness will be measured in both groups before and after the program using validated questionnaires. The results of this study may provide nurses and patients with a safe, cost-effective, non-drug option to improve symptom management and overall well-being in hemodialysis patients.
Official title: The Effect of the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise Program on the Management of Fatigue and Sleep Disorders in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 85 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-08-01
Completion Date
2027-01-30
Last Updated
2026-07-15
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Breathing technique
A non-pharmacological behavioral intervention utilizing the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Prior to the first session, a research nurse provides brief face-to-face training and an instructional video sent to participants' smartphones for home practice. During daily practice sessions in a comfortable position, the cycle is performed: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8 through pursed lips. This 10-cycle sequence lasts approximately 10-15 minutes per session. Applied twice daily (once during the day and once before bedtime) for four weeks, with fatigue, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness assessed via validated questionnaires (Chalder Fatigue Scale, Jenkins Sleep Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale) at baseline, week 2, and week 4. The intervention aims to reduce fatigue and sleep disturbances by activating the parasympathetic system, promoting relaxation, decreasing anxiety, and modulating autonomic balance.