The Effectiveness of Sipping Ice Therapy and Chewing Gum in Reducing Thirst Intensity Among Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis is a vital procedure for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet one of its common side effects is excessive thirst due to fluid intake restrictions. This persistent thirst not only causes discomfort but also negatively impacts patients' quality of life and may worsen clinical outcomes if not managed properly. Various non-pharmacological interventions, such as sipping ice therapy and chewing gum, have been suggested to alleviate thirst intensity among hemodialysis patients; however, their effectiveness requires further evaluation.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of ice therapy and chewing gum in reducing thirst intensity in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: This study employed a case study approach with a sample of two patients to explore the application of sipping ice therapy and chewing gum in reducing thirst intensity among hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease at Dr Soeradji Tirtonegoro General Hospital, Klaten. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used as an instrument to measure thirst intensity. Each intervention was administered separately to evaluate its individual effectiveness in alleviating thirst, and measurements were taken to document changes in VAS scores before and after the interventions.

Results: In the application of therapy, Mrs. S experienced a reduction in thirst intensity by chewing gum, decreasing from a score of 6 to 4 on the VAS scale (a reduction of 2 points). Meanwhile, Mrs P showed a reduction in thirst intensity through the sipping ice therapy, decreasing from a score of 7 to 3 (a reduction of 4 points).

Conclusion: Sipping ice therapy and chewing gum can effectively reduce thirst intensity among hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to validate these findings.