Impact of stress ball intervention on satisfaction, comfort and anxiety in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Hemodialysis (HD) patients commonly experience psychological distress and anxiety, which may affect their comfort and satisfaction during treatment. This study examined the overall impact of stress ball use on satisfaction, comfort, and anxiety among individuals receiving HD. A total of 46 patients were randomized between January and July 2025. Three participants in the intervention group withdrew before completing the study; therefore, the final analysis included 43 patients (20 in the stress ball group and 23 in the control group). Data were collected using the Patient Information Form (PIF), Visual Analog Patient Satisfaction Scale (VAPSS), Hemodialysis Comfort Scale (HCS), Distress Thermometer (DT), and Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). Patients in the intervention group used a stress ball for at least 15 minutes during each of twelve HD sessions. Measurements were obtained at baseline, midpoint, and post-test, while the control group received standard care and was assessed concurrently. The study findings demonstrated that anxiety levels decreased over time in the stress ball group, whereas they increased in the control group. Similarly, distress levels decreased in the stress ball group, while no significant change was observed in the control group. HD comfort scores decreased in the stress ball group but increased in the control group. In contrast, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the VAPSS scores. These results highlight the potential value of simple distraction techniques in clinical settings for further improving psychological outcomes.