The effect of peer support group on self-transcendence in patients undergoing haemodialysis

Attending counterpart group sessions over eight weeks improved self-transcendence in patients undergoing haemodialysis. The clinical trial randomly assigned 55 patients to an intervention or control group. The intervention group attended two-hour counterpart group sessions for eight weeks, with topics based on patients' needs and interests. Self-transcendence scores, measured by Reed's Self-Transcendence Scale, increased significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group. Both groups also showed significant increases from baseline. The results suggest that counterpart groups can help patients organize disease-related challenges and improve well-being.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction: Self-transcendence helps patients undergoing haemodialysis to organize the variety of challenges caused by the disease in order to make them feel well. This study was conducted to determine the effect of counterpart group on improving self-transcendence level in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted with two groups of intervention and control, with 55 patients undergoing hemodialysis. The samples were divided in 2 groups of intervention and control through block randomization. Two-hour counterpart group sessions were held for eight weeks for intervention group. The session's topics were based on the patients’ needs and interests. Research tools were questionnaire, demographic information and "Reed’s Self-Transcendence Scale (STS)". The descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis using the SPSS v18. Results: There was a significant difference between self-transcendence scores in two groups of intervention and control (P<0.05). A significant increase in the level of self-transcendence in both groups was seen at the end of the study compared to basal status (P<0.05). Conclusions: According to the study results, attending the counterpart groups improved self-transcendence in patients undergoing haemodialysis. The results can be used in nursing education and management. Training Self-transcendence evaluation is recommended for other chronic diseases with the emphasize on participating in counterpart groups for assessing its efficiency.