Abstract: Objective To determine the effectiveness of the mind map for imparting knowledge to incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods One hundred incident PD patients were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive traditional training (control group) or the mind map for knowledge of PD (observation group). The knowledge was assessed by the exam twice. The ability of self-management, laboratory parameters and PD complications were compared between the two groups after the surgery for one month and after discharge from hospital for 3 months. Results The scores of peritoneal dialysate exchange (t/χ²=2.231, P=0.028), change of dressing (t/χ²=3.043, P=0.003) and theoretical tests (t/χ²=2.627, P=0.010) were significantly higher in observation group than in control group before discharge. The scores of peritoneal dialysate exchange (t/χ²=2.520, P=0.013), change of dressing (t/χ²=2.044, P=0.044) and theoretical tests (t/χ²=3.044, P=0.003) were significantly higher in observation group than in control group after discharge for one month. The scores of self-management scale after discharge for one month (t=5.444, P＜0.001) and three months (t=6.056, P＜0.001) were both significantly higher in observation group than in control group. Serum potassium (t/χ²=2.128, P=0.036) and albumin (t/χ²=2.444, P=0.016) were significantly higher in observation group than in control group after discharge for one month. Serum potassium (t/χ²=3.293, P=0.001) and albumin (t/χ²=3.117, P=0.002) were significantly higher in observation group than in control group after discharge for three months. The incidence of peritonitis (χ²=7.440, P=0.006), exit infection (χ²=5.316, P=0.021) and edema (χ²=9.000, P=0.003) were lower in observation group after discharge for six months. Conclusion Mind map education may be more effective for knowledge acquisition, resulting in the comprehension of PD performance and the decrease of complication rate in PD patients.

Key words: Mind map, peritoneal dialysis, education