Effectiveness of Eye Movement Exercise Application on Pain and Stress among Patients undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Stress and pain are high among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Extra calcium and phosphate can also settle in the eyes and cause eye pain and irritation in dialysis patients. Eye movement exercise application affected a wide range of physical and psychological signs and symptoms among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of eye movement exercise application on eye pain and stress among patients undergoing hemodialysis Subjects and methods Design: Quasi-experimental research design pre-post-test was utilized in this study. Settings: The study was conducted at hemodialysis units at Sohag University Hospital, Egypt. Sample: Purposive samples of 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection; Tool I: Structured Interview Questionnaire that contains two parts part one; patients' personal demographic data and part two; medical data history, Tool II: Short Form McGill Pain Scale (SF-MPS) to assess eye pain, and Tool III: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Results: The current study results revealed that; post- eye movement exercise application was significantly affected in reducing eye pain and stress mean scores among patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to pre-application. Conclusion: The study concluded that; the eye movement exercise application has a significant positive effect on reducing eye pain and stress among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Recommendations: The eye movement exercise should be integrated into the care of patients undergoing hemodialysis to help in the reduction of eye pain and stress reduction especially when they had fluids and electrolyte disturbances. Eye movement training should be promoted in practice because it can reduce negative emotions and alleviate pain sensations.