Effect of Mirror Therapy on the Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation-related Pain and Anxiety

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are frequently used to reduce cannulation-related pain in patients with fistulas. Non-pharmacological approaches have been more favored than pharmacological approaches for some reasons, including ease of use and fewer side effects. Patients describe worry about the success of needling and resigned acceptance of pain and anxiety about dialysis needles. With this background in mind, mirror therapy has been introduced as one of the non-pharmacological interventions in the domain of pain management.

Patients undergoing hemodialysis experience pain, anxiety and stress due to large-gauge needle punctures necessary to ensure efficient arteriovenous fistula flow. In addition, anxiety disorders are prevalent in hemodialysis patients, primarily caused by invasive procedures and dialysis machine alarm sounds. Patients describe worry about the success of needling and resigned acceptance of pain and anxiety about dialysis needles. Therefore, when performing an AVF puncture, nursing care should prioritise the management of pain and anxiety. With this background in mind, mirror therapy has been introduced as one of the non-pharmacological interventions in the domain of pain management. It has been reported that viewing the picture of a healthy limb could moderate pain perception in the affected one