Exploring the role of mindfulness and meditation interventions to improve quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney disease: A scoping review

Abstract

Title: Exploring the role of mindfulness and meditation interventions to improve quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney disease: A scoping review Background: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) represents the final stage of chronic kidney disease, where the irreversible loss of kidney function necessitates renal replacement therapy (RRT) or kidney transplantation for survival. Despite the life-saving benefits of RRT, patients with ESKD experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety, which substantially reduce their quality of life. Mindfulness and meditation interventions offer promising non-pharmacological strategies to improve the quality of life for patients with ESKD. However, comprehensive evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for ESKD patients is lacking. Aim: To systematically examine the available literature and identify the types of evidence, gaps, and future implications related to mindfulness and meditation interventions for enhancing the quality of life of patients with ESKD. Methodology: A scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to determine the existing evidence on the role of mindfulness and meditation interventions in improving the quality of life of patients with ESKD. Electronic databases PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for sources of evidence. Google Scholar, NICE guidance, and the Cochrane Library were also searched to identify published and unpublished articles. Results: This scoping review examined 27 studies involving adult patients with ESKD, analysing their study design, countries, publication year, participant and intervention characteristics, key findings, and outcome measures. Its findings revealed that mindfulness and meditation interventions positively impacted the quality of life (n = 13), psychological well-being (n = 21), and physical well-being (n = 12) of patients with ESKD. Conclusion: This scoping review indicates that mindfulness and meditation interventions can potentially enhance the quality of life of patients with ESKD, supporting both their psychological and physical well-being. MBIs such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive therapy have been found to reduce depression, anxiety, and pain symptoms and improve emotional regulation and overall quality of life. However, there is a critical need for more rigorous and comprehensive research in this field. Addressing this scoping review’s identified gaps and limitations will contribute to more robust evidence that benefits this vulnerable patient population.