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Impact of stepped verbal and written reinforcement of fluid balance advice within an outpatient haemodialysis unit: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Casey J.,
Johnson V.,
McClelland P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-277x.2002.00331.x
Subject(s) - medicine , weight gain , balance (ability) , physical therapy , body weight
Background The present pilot study assesses a programme of verbal and written fluid balance advice within an out‐patient haemodialysis unit. Methods Twenty‐one haemodialysis patients were followed over three separate 6‐week periods. Each 6‐week period assessed dietetic and nursing educational input using a stepped approach with interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) as a barometer of patient compliance. Weight gain was statistically examined using the non‐parametric Friedman test. Results Forty‐eight per cent of the sample group demonstrated an overall improvement in mean weight gain; however, this was not statistically significant ( P =0.504). Conclusion The pilot study suggests that further studies with greater numbers and a control group would have a useful contribution to make in this field.