Application of Meditation Techniques in Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis Therapy

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, practice of meditation has increased considerably in the West, and has been used as a complementary therapy for a variety of diseases. Today, it is the third most commonly used complementary alternative therapy in American children and adults. Several studies have shown its beneficial effect on conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Stress affects the quality of life, not only in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis, but also on their caregivers. A growing number of CKD patients depend on non-professional health caregivers, such as family and friends. However, the needs of caregivers are often neglected and under-prioritized. Considering the heavy burden caregivers of patients with chronic disease need to carry and the lack of intervention studies, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of the practice of meditation on the level of anxiety and depression in caregivers of children with CKD undergoing hemodialysis.