Pilot Intervention for Mindful Drinking and Eating for Patients on Hemodialysis with Fluid Restrictions: Lessons Learned.

Patients requiring hemodialysis would benefit from evidence-based strategies that improve adherence to fluid restrictions while concurrently improving quality of life (QOL). This pilot study examined the effect of a four-week mindful drinking and eating intervention on interdialytic weight gain and QOL in patients on hemodialysis. Using paired t tests, no significant differences from pre- to post-test were found in interdialytic weight gain, a measure of fluid restriction adherence, or QOL in either the intervention (n = 18) or wait list control (n = 19) group. However, there was positive qualitative feedback from participants in exit interviews, and there were other indications of feasibility (low drop out, engagement in at-home practice according to weekly checklists). Lessons learned from this pilot study about conducting research regarding fluid restrictions for patients on hemodialysis are presented.