Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical value of Frank's meaningful therapy for improving the quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods A total of 156 MHD patients (70 males and 86 females with the age of 22-75 years old) were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into control group (n=78) and study group (n=78). Patients in the control group were treated with routine psychological nursing, while those in the study group were treated with Frank therapy. The patients were assessed before the therapy and after the therapy for 3, 6 and 12 months. Anxiety scale, depression scale and SF-36 scale were used to evaluate the quality of life. Results The study group had lower anxiety score (t=-2.704, P=0.022), depression score (t=-2.684, P=0.022) and sleep quality index (t=1.945, P=0.035) at 6th month of the therapy as compared those in the control group. The compliance rate of blood pressure control was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group at 3rd month (χ2=0.475, P=0.661), 6th month (χ²=11.952, P=0.001) and 12th month (χ²=21.501, P=0.002) after the therapy. PF (t=1.931, P＜0.001), RP (t=-2.112, P＜0.001), BP (t=0.533, P=0.012), GHP (t=1.931, P=0.031), VT (t=1.324, P=0.013) and REP (t=2.180, P=0.011) scores of the quality of life scales were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion Frank's meaningful therapy can significantly improve mood, sleep quality, quality of life, and the compliance rate of blood pressure control in MHD patients.

Key words: logotherapy, negative emotion, quality of life, maintenance hemodialysis