A predictor of emotional eating in adolescents: Social anxiety.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the effect of social anxiety on emotional eating in adolescents. The sample consisted of 1027 adolescents between aged 14-18 studying in the 9-12th grades of the high schools in the Central Anatolia Region in the 2018-2019 academic year. Ethics Committee and institutional permission was obtained in this study, data were collected by a questionnaire, the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R), and The Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Use in Children and Adolescents (EES-C). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and simple linear regression analysis. Adolescents had a mean SASC-R and EES-C score of 43.49 ± 16.56 and 61.93 ± 18.68, respectively. It was found that there was a relationship between EES-C mean scores and SASC-R mean scores, and they explained 35.0 % of the scores they got from the EES-C scale (p < 0.05). In conclusion, adolescents had moderate emotional eating and social anxiety. The higher the social anxiety, the higher the emotional eating. School personnel, parents and healthcare professionals need education about social anxiety and eating disorders in adolescents in order to detect symptoms early and intervene to better support adolescents struggling with social anxiety.

Social exclusion and behavior problems in adolescents with cancer and healthy counterparts.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine social exclusion, internalized and externalized behavioral problems in adolescents with cancer and to compare them with healthy counterparts. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample consisted of adolescents age 10-19 years (N = 70) followed up in the hemato-oncology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital and healthy adolescents age 10-19 years (N = 92) who were studying in secondary and high schools. The data were collected with a questionnaire for adolescents with cancer and healthy adolescents, The Ostracism Experience Scale for Adolescents (OES-A), Youth Externalizing Behavior Screener (YEBS), and Youth Internalizing Problems Screener (YIPS). RESULTS: The OES-A mean scores of cancer and healthy adolescents in the study were 35.68 ± 9.38 and 27.64 ± 5.35 (p ≤ 0.001), the YEBS mean scores were 23.51 ± 4.88 and 20.52 ± 5.42 (p ≤ 0.001), and the YIPS mean scores were 21.72 ± 6.48 and 19.18 ± 7.60 (p = 0.007), respectively. There was a low-level positive correlation between the mean scores of the OES-A and YEBS (r = 0.345, p < 0.05) and mean scores of the YEBS and YIPS (r = 0.308, p < 0.05) of adolescents with cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with cancer had higher scores on social exclusion, internalized and externalized behavioral problems than healthy counterparts in the current study. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The current study should lead pediatric oncology nurses to be more aware of social exclusion and internalized and externalized behavioral problems in adolescents with cancer after clinical treatment, and to provide appropriate psycho-oncological care.

Children's Perioperative Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (CPMAS): Turkish Validity and Reliability Study.

PURPOSE: To test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Children's Perioperative Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (CPMAS). DESIGN: Methodological research model. METHODS: One hundred children (81% male) aged 7 to 13 years undergoing elective surgery at a tertiary university hospital were included. Self-administered CPMAS and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Children were used to collect data at preoperative, operation day, and a month after the operation. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, parallel form reliability, and content and construct validity of the tools were determined across all three visits. FINDINGS: The CPMAS demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.51 to 0.78) and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78 to 0.81). Inter item correlation values were ranged from 0.20 to 0.62 at preoperative, 0.32 to 0.64 on the day of operation and 0.36 to 0.75 at a month after the operation. CPMAS single-factor construct and the explanatory percentages were 0.54 and above. After Pearson correlation analysis, CPMAS was moderately correlated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Children at T1 (r = 0.54, P < .01) and T2 (r = 0.56, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of CPMAS has good reliability and validity score. Therefore, it is a suitable instrument to assess perioperative anxiety in 7 to 13 years old children in a clinical setting.

The Effect of Daily Exercise Program on Bone Mineral Density and Cortisol Level in Preterm Infants with Very Low Birth Weight: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized controlled double-blinded experimental study was carried out to determine the effects of the daily exercise program on bone mineral density and cortisol level in preterm infants with VLBW matched for birth weight, gestation week, and gender. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was carried out with preterm infants (n = 24) hospitalized in the NICU of a tertiary hospital. Ethical committee approval, institutional permission, parental written consent were obtained. A daily exercise program was implemented in preterm infants in the exercise group for 30 days, once a day, and continuing for 7-10 min. Before and after the study the following were evaluated in preterm infants in the exercise and control group: anthropometric measurements, tibia speed of sound (SOS) for bone mineral density, serum cortisol levels. RESULTS: Serum cortisol levels (p = 0.05) were decreased, bone SOS values in the exercise group were increased (p = 0.009), after the study. The difference between pre-, post-study bone SOS and serum cortisol values of infants in the exercise group were high (p > 0.05). Percentage increases in anthropometric values in the exercise group were higher than the control group after the study (for all; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The daily exercise program has positive effect on bone SOS and serum cortisol values in preterm infants. Neonatal nurses can implement the daily exercise program in clinical practice. Trial registration numberClinicaltrials.govNCT03773679.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Methods Used Among Turkish Pediatric Oncology Patients.

PURPOSE: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods are gradually becoming common in pediatric oncology. The aim of this study was to determine the current use of CAM methods by Turkish mothers for their children with cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample for this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of the mothers (n = 110) of children with cancer undergoing treatment in a hematology-oncology clinic and outpatient clinic. The data were collected using a questionnaire that included the CAM methods used by mothers for their children with cancer. RESULTS: Of 110 children, 65 (59.1%) were diagnosed with leukemia and 107 (97.3%) underwent chemotherapy. More than half of the mothers (53.6%) were using CAM methods. The most common CAM method was the use of natural products (93.2%), of which the most frequently used were carob, mulberry, and grape molasses. Mothers used CAM to support the treatment of their children with cancer and alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and, in most cases, without previously consulting healthcare professionals about their use. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that most mothers used CAM methods for their children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is important that healthcare professionals are aware about the use of CAM methods in children with cancer to prevent any possible negative interaction between conventional (i.e., chemotherapy) and alternative treatments.

A comparison of emotional eating, social anxiety and parental attitude among adolescents with obesity and healthy: A case-control study.

This case-controlled study was conducted to determine and compare the emotional eating, social anxiety and parental attitude in those adolescents with obesity and healthy counterparts. The sample of the study consist of obese adolescents in 14-18 aged (n = 150) followed up in the pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital and healthy adolescents in 14-18 aged (n = 150) who were studying in high schools. The data were collected using a questionnaire form, Emotional Eating Scale Adapted to Use in Children and Adolescents (EES-C), Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R) and Parenting Style Scale (PSS). The SASC-R and EES-C mean scores of obese adolescents were 39.03 ± 13.09 (p ≤ 0.001) and 76.66 ± 16.30 (p ≤ 0.001), respectively. The mean scores of PSS-AI, PSS-SS and PSS-PA subscales in obese adolescents were 26.80 ± 4.42 (p ≤ 0.001), 28.14 ± 4.06 (p ≤ 0.001) and 22.32 ± 4.63 (p = 0.037), respectively. There was a low-level correlation between the EES-C and SASC-R mean scores of obese adolescents (p < 0.05). The mean scores of PSS-AI, PSS-SS and PSS-PA subscales of PSS with EES-C and SASC-R of obese adolescents were no correlated (p > 0.05). In this study, the mean scores of the emotional eating and social anxiety of obese adolescents were higher than healthy ones. There was a low level of positive correlation between emotional eating and social anxiety mean scores of obese adolescents.

A Comparison of Aggression and Self-injury Among Type 1 Diabetic and Healthy Adolescents: A Sample From Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents tend to have risky behaviors like aggression and self-injury due to the age period characteristics. The risk of aggression and self-injury may increase in adolescents with the addition of chronic diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted descriptively to determine and compare the aggression and self-injury in those with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and healthy counterparts. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 60 adolescents with T1DM followed up in the child endocrinology polyclinic of a university hospital and 319 healthy counterparts, 15-18 aged, at 9th-12th grade at high school. In the study, the permission of the institution, Ethical Committee, the parent and adolescent consent, the data were collected using a questionnaire form, Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) and Inventory of Statements About Self-injury (ISAS). The descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney U, Student t, Chi-square, Spearman correlation tests were used for analyzing data. RESULTS: The mean scores of AQ all subscales and the total scale of healthy adolescents were higher than adolescents with T1DM (p<0.05). Mean ISAS scores of adolescents with T1DM were higher than the healthy ones (p>0.05). The mean scores of autonomic function, social function and ISAS were positively moderately correlated with the mean scores of total aggression in both healthy and diabetic adolescents (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the age period characteristics, training about anger-stress management and effective communication skill to adolescents and their parents may be recommended by health professionals.

Increasing awareness of protection from sexual abuse in children with mild intellectual disabilities: An education study.

Sexual abuse is an important problem for children and particularly those with intellectual disabilities. Increasing awareness of sexual abuse could help these children to protect themselves from such a potential encounter. The study was conducted to raise awareness about sexual abuse in children with intellectual disabilities with 15 children who had mild intellectual disabilities as a pre-posttest experimental design. Informative pictures, designed according to age and intellectual level, suitable stories linked with these pictures and homework, were used in an educational setting. It was determined that there was a significant difference relating to the scores for all the subjects before and after the assignment (p<0.05). After education, awareness of them in protecting from a possible sexual abuse increased with protection educations for intellectual disabilities children, as desired.

Daily physical activity in low-risk extremely low birth weight preterm infants: positive impact on bone mineral density and anthropometric measurements.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in bone mineral density and anthropometric indices of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) preterm infants undergoing daily physical activity. Twenty-eight low-risk ELBW preterm infants (intervention group = 14, control group = 14) with a birth weight of under 1000 g and gestational age of 26-32 weeks were recruited. Preterm infants in the control group were provided with standard nursing care, whereas those in the intervention group received a daily physical activity programme in addition to standard nursing care during the study. Before and after the study, anthropometric indices and tibial speed of sound (SOS) values were measured. In this study, the tibial SOS values were found to be increased in the intervention group (+111.14 m/s) (p = 0.001) and decreased in the control group (-58.21 m/s) (p = 0.030). The increase in percentage of body weight, height, and tibial length of infants in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group (respectively; p = 0.002, p = 0,015, p < 0.001). A daily physical activity programme increased body weight, height, tibial length, and SOS values of the tibia in ELBW preterm infants.

The Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire: the Turkish validity and reliability study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the Turkish validity and reliability of the Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire. METHODS: The study was carried out with 265 adolescents. Data were collected with the Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire and the Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyze the construct validity of Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire. The scale reliability was tested using test-retest, Cronbach's α test, Pearson correlation analysis, and inter-item correlation analysis. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficients were found to be above 0.80 for all sub-dimensions and the total scale. Correlations between Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire and Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire scores were positively highly significant. The test-retest correlation analysis of Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire was 0.675. The results of confirmatory factor analysis were χ2/df=2.861, comparative fit index=0.966, incremental fit index=0.966, Tucker-Lewis index=0.956, normed fit index=0.949, root-mean-square error of approximation=0.084. The suitability of the data for exploratory factor analysis was evaluated with Bartlett's test of sphericity (p<0.05), and the sample adequacy was evaluated with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (0.77). CONCLUSION: The Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire Turkish version is a valid and reliable tool for measuring insomnia in adolescents aged 11-18 years. Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire is a brief, practical, self-reported, age-appropriate, easily applicable, valid, and reliable tool in Turkish. This is the first Turkish validity and reliability study of Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire.

The effectiveness of relaxation exercises on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of relaxation exercise on fatigue symptoms in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This is a meta-analysis study. The literature review was carried out by searching studies published between 2011 and 2020. This meta-analysis was recorded on PROSPERO in the National Health Research Institute (Registration no: CRD42022313646). RESULTS: Seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The effect size of the studies included in the meta-analysis was found to be g=1.232 (p=0.028), which indicated a "huge effect size." The scale used in the subgroup analyses, the application time of the relaxation exercise, and the number of relaxation exercise applications were evaluated, and a significant difference was found at p<0.05. CONCLUSION: Relaxation exercises can be used as an effective method for reducing fatigue in hemodialysis patients.

Effect of psychoeducation and telepsychiatric follow up given to the caregiver of the schizophrenic patient on family burden, depression and expression of emotion.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized-controlled experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of psychoeducation in the inpatient clinic and regular telepsychiatric follow-up (via telephone) after discharge on emotional expression, depression and family burden of primary caregivers of the schizophrenic patients. METHODS: This study was performed on 62 caregivers of the schizophrenic patients, assigned to experiment (n=32) and control (n=30) groups, from 1(st) July 2010 to 31(st) May 2011. The Scales for Expressed Emotion, the Beck Depression and the Zarit Family Burden were applied for the caregivers in experiment and control groups before education, after education and after 6-months telephone follow-up. RESULTS: The mean scores of the caregivers in experiment group on family burden, emotional expression and depression were decreased after education and after telephone follow-up and difference was significant (p<0.001). Conclusions : Psychoeducation and telepsychiatric follow-up via telephone induced decrease in family burden, emotional expression and depressive symptoms for their caregivers and was a support for the family in the patient care.

The effect of gentle human touch on pain, comfort and physiological parameters in preterm infants during heel lancing.

OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of gentle human touch (GHT) on pain, comfort, and physiologic parameters in preterm infants during heel lancing. METHOD: This prospective, assessor-blind, randomized controlled study was performed between August 10, 2021 and September 10, 2021 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of a tertiary hospital in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Fifty preterm infants were randomly appointed to GHT and control groups. The researcher applied GHT to the infants in the GHT group by placing one hand on the infant's head and the other hand on the lower abdomen covering the waist and hips for 15 min. Data were collected with a Questionnaire, Physiological Parameters Observation Form, Newborn Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), The Comfort Scale (COMFORT), and Pulse Oximeter. RESULTS: The NIPS and COMFORT mean scores of preterm infants in the GHT group were lower during (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively) and after heel lancing (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no difference between the preterm infants' peak heart rate, respiratory rate, and SPO2 values in the GHT and control groups during and after heel lancing (p > 0.05). The study found that preterm infants in the GHT group had less crying time during the heel lancing (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It could recommend using in painful procedures because GHT may positively affect preterm infants' pain, comfort, and physiologic parameters. The results of this study will contribute to NICU nurses should include non-pharmacological methods such as GHT to decrease pain of preterm infants in procedural pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05001191).

Anxiety and healthcare satisfaction of mothers with children hospitalized in the pediatric emergency service.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the anxiety and healthcare satisfaction levels of mothers with children hospitalized in the pediatric emergency service and the relationship between them. METHODS: The study sample comprised mothers (n = 316) with children hospitalized in the pediatric emergency service of a tertiary hospital in Turkey. Intsitutional and ethics committee approval was obtained, and data were collected using the Questionnare Form, State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), and PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction Scale (PHSS). RESULTS: The SAI mean scores of mothers were moderate (45.30 ± 9.29) and their PHSS total mean scores were high (70.74 ± 23.80). In the study, there was a low-level negative correlation between the SAI mean scores of the mothers and the PHSS subscales and total scale mean scores (p < 0.05). We found a relationship between the PHSS mean scores of mothers and the SAI mean scores, maternal age, education level, and waiting time for the examination, explaining 13.5% of the scores on the PHSS scale (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, the mothers had moderate anxiety and high healthcare satisfaction levels. Anxiety, educational level, and the waiting for an examination affected the healthcare satisfaction of mothers. The anxiety of mothers whose children are hospitalized in the pediatric emergency service should be reduced by conducting interventional studies.

Daily physical activity in low-risk pre-term infants: positive impact on bone strength and mid-upper arm circumference.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of pre-term osteopenia is important because it results in ventilator dependency, fractures in long bones, softening of the ribs or respiratory failure due to bone breaks in newborns. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in bone strength and anthropometric indices of very low birth-weight (VLBW) pre-term infants undergoing daily physical activity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty VLBW and low-risk pre-term infants (n intervention group = 20, n control group = 20) with a birth weight of 800-1600 g and gestational age of 26-32 weeks were recruited. Pre-term infants in the control group were provided with standard nursing care whereas those in the intervention group received a daily physical activity programme in addition to standard nursing care during the study. Before and after the study, anthropometric indices and tibial speed of sound (SOS) values were measured. RESULTS: In this study the tibial SOS values were found to be increased in the intervention group (p < 0.001) and decreased in the control group (p = 0.002). The increase in percentage of the mid-upper arm circumference of infants was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A daily physical activity programme increased SOS values of the tibia and mid-upper arm circumference in VLBW pre-term infants.

Optical Microfluidic Waveguides and Solution Lasers of Colloidal Semiconductor Quantum Wells.

The realization of high-quality lasers in microfluidic devices is crucial for numerous applications, including biological and chemical sensors and flow cytometry, and the development of advanced lab-on-chip (LOC) devices. Herein, an ultralow-threshold microfluidic single-mode laser is proposed and demonstrated using an on-chip cavity. CdSe/CdS@Cdx Zn1- x S core/crown@gradient-alloyed shell colloidal semiconductor quantum wells (CQWs) dispersed in toluene are employed in the cavity created inside a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic device using SiO2 -protected Ag mirrors to achieve in-solution lasing. Lasing from such a microfluidic device having CQWs solution as a microfluidic gain medium is shown for the first time with a record-low optical gain threshold of 17.1 µJ cm- ² and lasing threshold of 68.4 µJ cm- ² among all solution-based lasing demonstrations. In addition, air-stable SiO2 protected Ag films are used and designed to form highly tunable and reflective mirrors required to attain a high-quality Fabry-Pérot cavity. These realized record-low thresholds emanate from the high-quality on-chip cavity together with the core/crown@gradient-alloyed shell CQWs having giant gain cross-section and slow Auger rates. This microfabricated CQW laser provides a compact and inexpensive coherent light source for microfluidics and integrated optics covering the visible spectral region.

Assessment of autonomic dysfunction and anxiety levels in patients with mitral valve prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess autonomic dysfunction parameters and anxiety levels in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated 33 patients (mean age 25+/-5 years) with MVP and 14 healthy subjects (mean age 25+/-4 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (anatomical MVP, n=11) or absence (MVP syndrome, n=22) of abnormal leaflet thickening (>5 mm). Spielberger's Situational Anxiety Scale (SSAS) and Continuous Anxiety Scale (SCAS) were administered to all the subjects, and heart rates (HR) and arterial blood pressures (BP) were measured in the supine and standing positions. RESULTS: Mid-systolic click and late systolic murmur were significantly more frequent in patients with anatomical MVP, while nonspecific symptoms such as dyspnea, vertigo, and atypical chest pain were more frequent in patients with MVP syndrome (p<0.05). Mitral insufficiency (mild) was significantly more frequent in patients with anatomical MVP (72.7% vs. 22.7%; p<0.009). Patients with MVP syndrome had significantly higher SSAS and SCAS scores (41.0+/-15.6 and 38.5+/-15.5) compared to patients with anatomical MVP (15.8+/-7.5 and 17.0+/-9.1) and controls (14.9+/-7.4 and 16.9+/-8.7, respectively; for both p<0.001). Orthostatic differences in BP and HR were significantly greater in patients with MVP syndrome than those having anatomical MVP (p<0.001 and p=0.032, respectively). Orthostatic HR differences showed a significant correlation with SSAS in both MVP groups (r=0.536, p=0.001) and a significant correlation with SCAS in patients with MVP syndrome (r=0.523, p=0.002). There was an inverse correlation between orthostatic BP differences and anxiety parameters in all MVP patients (r=-0.391, p=0.025 for SSAS, and r=-0.320, p=0.048 for SCAS). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that patients with MVP syndrome have increased autonomic dysfunction and anxiety scores compared to patients with anatomical MVP.

The Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire: the Turkish validity and reliability study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the Turkish validity and reliability of the Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire. METHODS: The study was carried out with 265 adolescents. Data were collected with the Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire and the Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyze the construct validity of Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire. The scale reliability was tested using test-retest, Cronbach's α test, Pearson correlation analysis, and inter-item correlation analysis. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficients were found to be above 0.80 for all sub-dimensions and the total scale. Correlations between Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire and Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire scores were positively highly significant. The test-retest correlation analysis of Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire was 0.675. The results of confirmatory factor analysis were χ2/df=2.861, comparative fit index=0.966, incremental fit index=0.966, Tucker-Lewis index=0.956, normed fit index=0.949, root-mean-square error of approximation=0.084. The suitability of the data for exploratory factor analysis was evaluated with Bartlett's test of sphericity (p<0.05), and the sample adequacy was evaluated with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (0.77). CONCLUSION: The Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire Turkish version is a valid and reliable tool for measuring insomnia in adolescents aged 11-18 years. Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire is a brief, practical, self-reported, age-appropriate, easily applicable, valid, and reliable tool in Turkish. This is the first Turkish validity and reliability study of Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire.

The effectiveness of relaxation exercises on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of relaxation exercise on fatigue symptoms in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This is a meta-analysis study. The literature review was carried out by searching studies published between 2011 and 2020. This meta-analysis was recorded on PROSPERO in the National Health Research Institute (Registration no: CRD42022313646). RESULTS: Seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The effect size of the studies included in the meta-analysis was found to be g=1.232 (p=0.028), which indicated a "huge effect size." The scale used in the subgroup analyses, the application time of the relaxation exercise, and the number of relaxation exercise applications were evaluated, and a significant difference was found at p<0.05. CONCLUSION: Relaxation exercises can be used as an effective method for reducing fatigue in hemodialysis patients.