Ramatasya Meditation To Reduce Psychological Distress Of Chronic Kidney Failure (CKF) Patients In The Hemodialysis Room

Abstract

Distress is formed from a negative stress response. Distress of CKF (Chronic Kidney Failure) patients undergoing hemodialysis is triggered by having to undergo hemodialysis for life. Ramatasya meditation (an unconditional acofceptance meditation method) is proposed as an alternative solution to psychological distress. This study aims to prove the effect of Ramatasya meditation on psychological distress in CKF patients in the hemodialysis room of Dr. Iskak Tulungagung Hospital. Research design of this study was Quasi experimental research design, with a sample of 30 patients (15 treatment groups and 15 control groups according to the inclusion criteria), used the Kesler Psychological Distress Scale as a measuring instrument. Most of the psychological distress data before intervention in the treatment and control groups (86.7%) were in the moderate category. After the intervention, most of respondent of treatment group (86.7%) experienced mild psychological distress and in the control group most (60%) experienced moderate psychological distress. Statistical results with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (α = 0.05), (p-value = 0.000), meaning that there is an effect of Ramatasya meditation on psychological distress in patients with chronic kidney failure. The decrease in psychological distress occurs due to an increasing of endorphins and a decreasing of the cortisol hormone. CKF patients who experienced psychological distress could do Ramatasya meditation because it was easy to do his/herself, doesn’t cost much money and  safe to use in patients. Keywords: Chronic Kidney Failure, Meditation, Psychological Distress.