Physical – Pain – KidneyPal

pain

physical domain

Got Any Questions?

Feel free to reach out and chat with us!

Physical

In the Physical Domain, the sociodemographics that were moderately correlated were educational attainment and occupational status. These two factors had a stronger relationship to physical quality of life (QoL) compared to the other variables, which showed only weak correlations.

Educational attainment and Occupational status correlated moderately to the physical domain. Educational attainment is linked to physical quality of life, with higher levels of education often leading to better physical well-being. This stems from improved health literacy, greater access to resources, and informed decision-making regarding lifestyle and treatment. Educated individuals are more effective at managing health conditions like Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), adhering to treatment, and maintaining healthier routines. Occupational status underscores the positive impact of employment on their well-being. Stable jobs enhance access to healthcare, financial security, and structured routines, all contributing to better health outcomes.

General Interventions

(For age, sex, marital status, household income, comorbidities)

1. You should avoid sleeping on the arm with the fistula

This will protect your vascular access and prevents pain (Mo et al., 2019).

2. Apply gentle massage or cooling gel to sore joints.

Soothes muscles after treatment or long sitting (Angelina et al., 2024).

3. You are encouraged to do low-impact movement (e.g., ankle circles) to reduce stiffness.

Keeps joints limber (Mo et al., 2019).

Occupational Status-Based Teachings: Employed

1. You are encouraged to use ergonomic supports at work (adjustable chairs, footrests)

This will help you reduce joint stress during long working hours (NANDA International, 2021)

2. You are encouraged to rest and reposition frequently if your job is physically demanding

This will you avoid overuse injuries (Albulescu et al., 2022).

3. Apply cold packs post-shift if you experience soreness.

To lessen the soreness and avoid further complications (National Institute on Aging, 2025).

Occupational Status-Based Teachings: Unemployed

1. Apply warm compresses to painful areas during rest.

To relieve tension (Zhang et al., 2024).

2. Schedule movement breaks (ankle circles, shoulder rolls) every 1–2 hours.

To prevent stiffness (NANDA International, 2021).

3. Engage in relaxing crafts or light hobbies.

To distract from chronic pain (Nichol et al., 2023).

Educational Attainment-Based Teachings: Higher Education

1. Log pain episodes using a tracking application.

To identify pain patterns and triggers (Kertechian & El-Farr, 2025).

2. Use a digital guide.

To practice guided imagery or deep breathing for pain control (Toussaint et al., 2021).

3. Engage in self-massage or foam rolling techniques taught through online tutorials.

To control pain and to prevent further exacerbation of pain (NANDA International, 2021).

Educational Attainment-Based Teachings: Higher Education

1. Use a simple face pain scale (happy to sad faces).

To report and track daily pain (NANDA International, 2021).

2. Apply cold/hot compresses with help from visual guides showing where and how.

To relieve pain and tension (Zhang et al., 2024).

3. Watch or follow pictorial guides for seated pain-relief stretches

To have an idea of simple stretches and to perform them smoothly (National Institute on Aging, 2025).

References

● NANDA International. (2021). NANDA Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions and Classification, 16th Edition.
● Mo, Y., Song, L., Huang, J., Sun, C., Zhou, L., Zheng, S., Zhuang, T., Chen, Y., Chen, Y., Liu, S., Liang, X., & Fu, X. (2019). Can the fistula arm be used to lift heavy items? Six-pound dumbbells versus handgrip exercise in a 6-month follow-up secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Vascular Access, 21(5), 602–608. https://doi.org/10.1177/1129729819894090
● National Institute on Aging. (2025). Exercise and physical activity: How to get started. https://www.nia.nih.gov
● Zhang, Y., Wen, Z., Zhu, Y., & Guan, G. (2024). Effects of physical exercise on body esteem. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20861-7
● Angelina, K. A., Vaithilingan, S., Ragunathan, L., & Kannan, V. (2024). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Virgin Coconut Oil Effleurage in Alleviating Pain in Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Study in an Urban Tertiary Care Center in South India. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 16(Suppl 5), S4484–S4487. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1010_24
● Albulescu, P., et al. (2022). Micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0272460.
● Michaelsen, M. M., et al. (2023). Mindfulness-based workplace interventions. Mindfulness, 14(6), 1271–1304.
● Verve Behavioral Health IOP. (2024). How to Deal with Stress at Work. https://vervebh.com/how-to-deal-with-stress-at-work
● Hochstein, R. E., et al. (2024). The case of self-care. Journal of Consumer Research, 52(1), 219–242.
● Fisher, J., & Budson, A. E. (2025). Tips to leverage neuroplasticity. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu