The Effectiveness of Group Discussion based on Cognitive-behavioral Intervention on Alexithymia in Hemodialysis Patients

Alexithymia and difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions are associated with many physical health problems. Since hemodialysis patients experience chronic physical and psychological stress, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of group discussion based on cognitive-behavioral interventions on alexithymia in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The present study was a randomized clinical trial. 60 patients undergoing hemodialysis in Goldis Shahinshahr hospital in the second half of 2019 were selected through a convenience sampling method based on inclusion criteria and randomly using a random number table in both intervention and control groups. The demographic information questionnaire and the Toronto alexithymia questionnaire (Taylor, Ryan & Bagby, 1985) were used to collect data. For the intervention group, 8 sessions of 60-minute group discussion based on cognitive-behavioral interventions were performed Data were analyzed using SPSS19 statistical software.

 The mean alexithymia Score was 62/51±5/46 in the intervention group, and 62/44±3/53 in the control group before the intervention, which respectively reached 43/62±4/09 and 62/32±3/57 after implementation of the intervention and this difference was significant in the intervention group (p≤0/001).

Considering the effectiveness of group training based on cognitive-behavioral interventions on mood disorders in hemodialysis patients, it is suggested that nurses use the method used in the present study as a simple and low-cost method in reducing mood disorders in hemodialysis patients