University of Twente Student Theses

Login

Reducing fatigue in kidney patients : evaluation of a computer-based cognitive bias modification treatment

Berger, Raphaela (2021) Reducing fatigue in kidney patients : evaluation of a computer-based cognitive bias modification treatment.

[img] PDF
698kB
Abstract:Among kidney patients fatigue is a highly prevalent symptom affecting 60-97% who receive hemodialysis. Despite the high prevalence of fatigue, there is no targeted medical treatment available. However, cognitive biases, such as attentional and self-identity bias, seem to play a role in the development and perpetuation of fatigue. Since the role of CBM in treating fatigue in renal patients is not yet researched, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of CBM on cognitive biases, as well as on secondary outcomes such as symptoms and behaviour. Moreover, the conditions under which CBM is most effective, such as the treatment dose, were analysed. A sample of 24 dialysis and pre-dialysis patients participated in the 14-days CBM training. The results indicate significant reductions in attentional as well as self-identity biases after participating in CBM training. Analyses examining the optimal dose, effects of bias strength at baseline measure, symptom change and correlation of bias with all-or-nothing and avoidance behaviours at baseline measure were all found to be non-significant. Therefore, the results provide evidence for the effectiveness of CBM in modifying cognitive biases but cannot yet support the role of CBM in targeting secondary outcomes, such as fatigue.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/86399
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page