Mindfulness Meditation Effects on Sleep, Stress, and Physiological Biomarkers in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sami M. Alshammari, A. Shaheen, Abdulrahman Z. Alshammari, Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour
Health Psychology Research August 26, 2025 DOI: 10.14440/hpr.0186 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Repeated measures design Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis at Jahra Hospital |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness meditation delivered during hemodialysis was associated with lower post-intervention C-reactive protein, decreased perceived stress and serum cortisol, and improved sleep quality at both measurement points. Within- and between-subject analyses showed the intervention group had reductions in subjective stress, serum cortisol, C-reactive protein, and sleep quality index over time compared with the control group. |
Abstract
Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) face significant physical and psychological challenges, highlighting the need for effective supportive interventions. Mindfulness meditation (MM) has emerged as a promising intervention for these patients.
Objective: This study examines the effects of MM on the quality of sleep, perceived stress, and levels of serum cortisol and C-reactive protein in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Methods: A repeated measures design was employed, utilizing data collected from 56 patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis at Jahra Hospital. The intervention included a 30-min session of mindfulness techniques conducted during hemodialysis. Variables measured included quality of sleep, perceived stress, and levels of selected biomarkers. The study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov.
Results: The analysis showed that patients in the intervention group had a significantly lower level of C-reactive protein at post-intervention. The intervention also contributed to a decreased level of perceived stress and serum cortisol, and improved quality of sleep at both measurement time points. Analysis of variance (within and between-subject) results demonstrated that the trial group had decreased subjective stress, serum cortisol level, C-reactive protein level, and sleep quality index over time, as opposed to the control group.
Conclusion: This study suggests that integrating psychological interventions, such as MM, into hemodialysis sessions may benefit patients. The inclusion of a liaison psychological counselor is recommended for consideration by decision-makers.