Effects of the self-management program on the quality of life among kidney-transplant patients in Isfahan's Hazrat Abolfazl Health and Medical Charity in 2015

Abstract

Introduction: After transplantation, patients require lifelong follow-up care. The present research was conducted to explore effects of the self-management program on the quality of life among renal-transplant patients in Hazrat Abolfazl Health and Medical Charity in Isfahan in 2015. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial had 2 groups involving 3 stages, namely, before, right after, and 3 months after the intervention. It was conducted on 72 kidney-transplant patients. The participants having inclusion criteria were selected using the simple sampling method and were randomly placed in the experimental and control groups. Each group included 36 participants. The chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) workshop was presented for the experimental group in a 2 1/2-h session held once a week for 6 months. The control group attended a training session on diet. To collect data, the standard Kidney Transplant Questionnaire was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: After the intervention, the means of the quality of life among the patients in the experimental group were 3.82 +/- 1.03, 4.49 +/- 0.81, and 5.12 +/- 0.62 before, right after, and 3 months after the intervention, respectively (P < 0.05). However, the means of the quality of life in the control group at the 3 time points were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Due to the positive effect of the CDSMP on the quality of life among the kidney-transplant patients, it is recommended that authorities accept the self-management program much more.