Quite a few studies have been examined that sell-care and information arid education for self-care by health care team, both were important to hemodialysis patients in order to continue their lives and maintain health status.
But, very little research was done about impaired level of cognitive function and characteristics of cognitive function which can be influenced the effective education for hemodialysis patients.
The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of cognitive function as a basic element of the education program for hemodialysis patients.
These data have been collected by the researcher and two other research assistants. The subjects were 134 hemodialysis patients in two university hospitals and three dialysis centers. The tool in this study was MMSE which had been developed by Folstein(1975), translated and modified. The data was analyzed by the S.P.S.S computerized program using actual number, percentile, means and standard deviations, t-test, ANOVA.
The result of this study is summarized as follow:
The mean score of cognitive function for the samples was 26.63(S.D=±3.47) in range from l2to 30.
2. When a score of 23 on the MMSE has been used as a standard cutoff point to identify individuals whose cognitive capacity is impaired, the 24.6 percent of our sample was calculated with MMSE scores less than or equal to 23.
3. When the score of cognitive function for our sample was compared to published norms of MMSE, the 58.2 percent of our sample was lower than the published norm.
4. The mean score of cognitive function area was orientation(9.44, SD=±0.98), registration(2.96, S.D=±1.019) attention and calculation(3.51, =S.D±1.91), recall(1.45, S.D±0.99), languge(8.21, S.D= ±3.47).
5. The general characteristic variables significantly related to the score of cognitive function were age and educational levels.
6. The laboratory levels significantly related to the score of cognitive function were serum level of Hb, Hct, Albumin.
As the above results, hemodialysis patients in the study reported lower level of cognitive function than the individuals in the general population of similar educational background and age.
Therefore, nursing care should include individualized care and educational approach for elderly patients with low educational background.
In addition, the health care team should give their efforts to increase serum level of Hb, Hct, Albumin for better cognitive function.
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