The Role of Mindfulness in Hemodialysis Patients: A Scoping Review
Liqian Bao, Kechen Xu
Mindfulness September 9, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02977-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Hemodialysis patients with kidney failure |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-derived intervention programs |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report that available evidence indicates mindfulness-derived intervention programs improved hemodialysis patients' mental health and physical symptoms, and that modified variants of these programs also achieved favorable outcomes across different age groups. The review synthesizes implementation protocols and delivery characteristics and identifies prevailing research limitations. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Hemodialysis is an essential life-sustaining therapy for kidney failure patients, who frequently develop diverse psychological and physical symptoms. Mindfulness is a promising psychological construct, and multiple intervention programs developed from this construct can serve as viable complementary treatments; however, the implementation protocols of such mindfulness-derived programs for hemodialysis patients remain unclear. This scoping review synthesized available evidence on implementation protocols, delivery characteristics, and clinical effects of varied mindfulness-derived intervention programs targeting hemodialysis patients.
Method: Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 38 English studies published from 2000 to 2025 were screened from seven electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL Plus, APA PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE, and Web of Science).
Results: Available evidence indicated mindfulness-derived intervention programs improved patients’ mental health and physical symptoms, and modified variants of these programs also achieved favorable outcomes across different age groups.
Conclusions: This review summarizes existing mindfulness-derived intervention regimens and provides actionable implications to advance relevant research and inform hemodialysis clinical care, in addition to pinpointing prevailing research limitations.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 22
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- Mobile Mindfulness Intervention for Psychological Distress Among Intensive Care Unit Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Internal Medicine July 1, 2024
- Brief Mindfulness Intervention vs. Health Enhancement Program for Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Healthcare June 1, 2021
- The influence of mindfulness meditation combined with progressive muscle relaxation training on the clinical efficacy and quality of life of patients with sarcopenia receiving haemodialysis: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies May 17, 2024
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus treatment as usual after non-remission with NHS Talking Therapies high-intensity psychological therapy for depression: a UK-based clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness randomised, controlled, superiority trial. The Lancet Psychiatry June 1, 2025
and 17 more in the library