HED-Start: A Brief Positive Psychology Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Psychological Adjustment in Patients New on Hemodialysis

Abstract Background Initiation onto hemodialysis marks a critical transition with intense psychosocial demands. Interventions using cognitive–behavioral therapy to improve distress have been variably effective but require trained staff and are typically delivered only to those who screen positive for clinically significant distress. Interventions guided by positive psychology are lacking. Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of a brief positive-skills RCT in improving psychological adjustment in new hemodialysis patients. Methods Using a parallel (2:1) design, blinded cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) design, incident patients (<6 months at NKF dialysis centers) undergoing hemodialysis were randomized to intervention or usual care (UC). HED-Start intervention comprised four group sessions delivered by healthcare staff on positive emotions, acceptance, and life-orientated goal setting. Measures were taken at baseline (pre-randomization) and at 12 weeks: distress/mood (HADS; SPANE); quality of life (KDQOL-SF, WHOQOL-BREF); benefit-finding (BFS, BIPQ); life-oriented skills (HEIQ, CD-RISC-2); self-efficacy (CD-SES). Results A total of 147 participants enrolled in the trial (response rate, 51.0%; retention [assessment], 90.5%). Study arms were comparable on all baseline and outcome variables except for age, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertensive nephrosclerosis which were subsequently controlled for. Repeated measures ANCOVAs (intention to treat) were used. HED-Start yielded significant reductions over time in depression, and increased quality of life, self-efficacy, benefit finding, and skills relative to UC (moderate effect sizes). Rates of clinically significant depression significantly decreased in HED-Start (p < .001) and increased in UC (p = .002). Conclusions The significant positive effects of HED-Start, a low-intensity and cost intervention, on several adjustment indices, suggest that programs focusing on positive life skills can value add to existing renal care services.