Use of Auriculotherapy in Symptom Management of Hemodialysis Patients: A Traditional Review

Abstract

End-stage renal disease , the final stage of Chronic Kidney Disease, is a severe condition characterized by irreversible loss of kidney function. At this stage, renal replacement therapies—hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis, or transplantation are essential for patient survival. In Turkey, HD is the most frequently preferred treatment method. However, while HD provides physiological benefits, it is also associated with significant side effects and symptoms that adversely affect quality of life. Constipation, pruritus, fatigue, sleep disturbances, pain, depression, and anxiety are among the most common symptoms. The prolonged and intense experience of these symptoms negatively impacts treatment adherence and overall well-being. In recent years, patients have increasingly turned to Complementary and Integrative Therapies (CIT) to manage these symptoms. CIT modalities are preferred due to their low risk of side effects, cost-effectiveness, immune system support, and promotion of psychological well-being. Methods such as acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, and meditation are frequently used for symptom management in HD patients. Among these, auriculotherapy stands out as a non-invasive, low-cost, and minimally side-effect-prone option. Auriculotherapy, which involves stimulating reflex points on the auricle to modulate the autonomic nervous system, has demonstrated efficacy in multiple areas, including pain management, anxiety reduction, sleep quality improvement, and alleviation of gastrointestinal symptoms. Research indicates that auriculotherapy is particularly effective in reducing insomnia, pruritus, constipation, thirst, and fistula-related pain in HD patients. Recent studies highlight its potential to enhance quality of life and improve symptom control in this population.

Keywords

• Hemodialysis
• Auriculotherapy
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Complementary and Integrative Therapy

Hemodiyaliz Hastalarının Semptom Yönetiminde Aurikuloterapi Kullanımı: Geleneksel Derleme

Abstract

Kronik Böbrek Hastalığı’nın son evresi olan son dönem böbrek yetmezliği, böbrek fonksiyonlarının geri dönüşümsüz şekilde kaybedildiği ciddi bir durumdur. Bu evrede, hastaların hayatta kalabilmesi için renal replasman tedavilerinden; Hemodiyaliz (HD), periton diyalizi veya transplantasyon yapılmalıdır. Türkiye’de, HD tedavisi en sık tercih edilen yöntemdir. Ancak, HD tedavisi fizyolojik faydalarının yanı sıra ciddi yan etkiler ve yaşam kalitesini olumsuz etkileyen semptomlarla ilişkilidir. Konstipasyon, kaşıntı, yorgunluk, uyku bozuklukları, ağrı, depresyon ve anksiyete bu semptomların başında gelmektedir. Bu semptomların uzun süreli ve yoğun yaşanması, tedaviye uyum ve genel iyilik halini olumsuz etkiler. Son yıllarda, hastalar bu semptomları yönetebilmek için Tamamlayıcı ve İntegratif Tedavi yöntemlerine yönelmektedir. TİT uygulamaları düşük yan etki riski, düşük maliyet, bağışıklık sistemini destekleme ve ruhsal iyilik hali sağlama gibi avantajlar nedeniyle tercih edilmektedir. Akupunktur, refleksoloji, aromaterapi, meditasyon gibi yöntemler, HD hastalarında semptom yönetiminde sıklıkla tercih edilmektedir. Aurikuloterapi bu yöntemler arasında invaziv olmayan, düşük maliyetli ve yan etkisi minimal bir seçenek olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Kulak kepçesinde bulunan refleks noktaların uyarılması yoluyla otonom sinir sistemini etkileyen aurikuloterapi, ağrı yönetimi, anksiyete azalması, uyku kalitesinin artırılması ve gastrointestinal semptomların iyileştirilmesi gibi birçok alanda etkili bulunmaktadır. Araştırmalar, HD hastalarında aurikuloterapinin özellikle uykusuzluk, kaşıntı, kabızlık, susuzluk ve fistül ağrısı gibi semptomları azaltmada başarılı olduğunu göstermektedir Son yıllarda yapılan çalışmalar, aurikuloterapinin hemodiyaliz hastalarında yaşam kalitesini artırma ve semptom kontrolüne katkı sağlama potansiyeline sahip olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Hemodiyaliz
• Aurikuloterapi
• Kronik Böbrek Hastalığı
• Tamamlayıcı ve İntegratif Tedavi

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