Background: Dialysis is a medical treatment for end-stage kidney
disease with serious implications, such as severe fatigue and a strict regimen limiting daily
activities. According to research, patients undergoing dialysis perceive less control over
their life compared to healthy people. It therefore seems relevant to develop and evaluate an
intervention aimed at enhancing perceived control in low-control dialysis patients. Methods: A
randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including 200 dialysis patients with low or
decreased levels of perceived control. Patients will complete questionnaires regarding
perceived control, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The intervention will be
aimed at developing skills in self-regulation (goal setting and pursuit). Data will be analyzed
by intention-to-treat principle. Expected results: A significant larger increase in perceived
control in dialysis patients in the intervention condition compared to patients in the
waitinglist control condition. Current stage of work: Intervention development. Discussion: In
case the intervention leads to an increase in perceived control in dialysis patients, the
intervention could serve as an add-on to dialysis treatment, contributing to a greater quality
of life of dialysis patients.
