Aims and objectives: Hemodialysis is a main treatment for patients with renal failure. The improvement of dialysis adequacy is the most important factor in reducing complications and mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study was conducted to examine the effect of muscle relaxation on dialysis adequacy in patients on hemodialysis. Design and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 90 hemodialysis patients in Khatam al-Anbia and Imam Ali hemodialysis centers in Zahedan, Iran in 2014. The participants were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to the control and case groups through stratified block randomization with the block size of quadripartite (23 blocks of 4 /quadripartite). The control group received routine therapeutic measures, and the case group were trained for Benson muscle relaxation in three sessions in addition to the routine therapeutic measures. The patients in the case group were requested to do relaxation exercises for 15-20 minutes twice a day for one month. The dialysis adequacy was measured using the z02 software of the Health Ministry before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed in SPSS21 software using Chi-square test, independent t test, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, ANOVA, and ANCOVA at significance level lower than 0.05. Results: The results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of dialysis adequacy before the intervention (P = 0.818) although the difference was significant after the intervention (P = 0.003). Moreover, the dialysis adequacy significantly correlated with patients' age (P = 0.001), sex (P = 0.039), and occupation (P = 0.024). Conclusion: Regarding increased dialysis adequacy and its safety and ease of use, it is recommended that muscle relaxation be taught in hemodialysis wards.

Aims: Dialysis patients have experienced some degree of pain, especially foot pain. Some complementary interventions such as muscle relaxation are effective in relieving pain. This study was performed with the aim of assessing the effect of muscle relaxation on hemodialysis patients' pain. Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 hemodialysis patients of Khatamolanbia and Imam Ali hemodialysis centers of Zahedan during 2013 and 2014. The patients were chosen by purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria and randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Pain intensity was measured by McGill questionnaire before intervention. Then, Benson muscle relaxation was taught to patients' of case group and was performed by them for 15-20 minutes twice a day for a month. The control group received no training. The pain intensity of two groups was compared after one month. The data were analyzed using Chisquare, independent T and Mann-Whitney tests by SPSS 21 software. Findings: Most of the patients were men, married, housekeeper with under diploma education and the mean age of them was 43.0±15.0 years. There was a significant decrease in pain intensity in the intervention group compared to the control (p=0.03). Conclusion: The muscle relaxation technique can be employed to reduce pain in hemodialysis patients.