Health Psychology Research / HPR / Online First / DOI: 10.14440/hpr.0186
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Mindfulness Meditation Effects on Sleep, Stress, and Physiological Biomarkers in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sami M. Alshammari1 ,  Abeer M. Shaheen1 ,  Abdulrahman Z. Alshammari2 ,  Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour1*
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1 Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Jahra Hospital, Jahra 2831, Kuwait
HPR, e81240021 https://doi.org/10.14440/hpr.0186
Submitted: 29 June 2025 | Revised: 30 July 2025 | Accepted: 7 August 2025 | Published: 26 August 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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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.

Keywords
Chronic kidney failure
Mindfulness
Psychological stress
Quality of sleep
Cortisol
C-reactive protein
Renal dialysis
Kidney disease
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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