Thermotherapy for Reducing Pain During Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation is a routine procedure for people receiving haemodialysis and is frequently associated with pain. Thermotherapy has been reported as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing AVF cannulation-related pain; however, the optimal application duration remains unclear.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 years and older * Patients who received hemodialysis (HD) treatment with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for at least 3 months * Patients receiving HD treatment 3 days a week for 4 hours each session * Patients with a pain score of ⩾1 during AVF cannulation, measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) * Patients able to communicate in Turkish * Patients without psychiatric disorders that impair communication * Patients who agreed to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who were known to present difficulties with fistula cannulation (requiring multiple cannulations) * Patients with a history of hematoma or stenosis in the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) * Patients with an infection at the fistula site * Patients who took painkillers within 3 hours prior to treatment * Hypersensitivity reactions and circulatory disorders due to thermotherapy * Sensory or cognitive impairment preventing a proper assessment of pain * Patients who did not wish to participate in the study