Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To investigate the depression, treatment adherence condition of maintenance hemodialysis patient(MHD) in initial period, and to explore the effect of family therapy on their depression and treatment adherence. Method 53 MHD in initial period were assessed with self-rating depression scale, the
specific medical treatment adherence scale for ESRD clients with maintenance hemodialysis, alone with their interdialysis weight gain(IDWG), we evaluate their depression and treatment adherence condition, then we gave the patents family therapy of 4-6 times, and the aftertests. The one-sample T test and the regression analysis with control variables were manipulated to patents’depression, treatment adherence, and the relationship of the two; paired-sample T test were manipulated to explore the effect of family therapy on patients’depression and adherence. Result 86.79% of the patients were checked out with depression symptom；the SDS of the patients could be an independent factor to predict their treatment adherence both before and after the family therapy (Rbefore 2= 0.134, P=0.009, Rafter 2=0.379, P=0.000). The patients’SDS (SDbefore=57.45 ± 6.33, SDafter= 47.29±4.97, t=12.825, P=0.000), treatment adherence (SDbefore= 68.70±7.23, SDafter=76.74±5.52, t=-14.423, P= 0.000) and IDWG (SDbefore=2.75±1.28, SDafter=2.53±1.20, t=6.383, P=0.000)were significantly improved after family therapy. Conclusion Depression could be as prevalent among MHD in initial period, their treatment adherence are not ideal too, and depression could be an independent factor to predict their adherence. However, family therapy could be a useful way to improve their depression symptom and treatment adherence.

Key words: initial period of dialysis, depression, treatment adherence, family therapy