Negative illness perception is associated with increased insomnia in maintenance hemodialysis patients, partially mediated by fear of progression and moderated by self-compassion.
In a cross-sectional study of 332 maintenance hemodialysis patients in China, 55.72% reported insomnia. Illness perception was positively correlated with insomnia (r=0.629, p<0.01), and fear of progression mediated 17.5% of this relationship. Self-compassion moderated the effect, with higher self-compassion weakening the link between illness perception and fear of progression.
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Negative illness perception is associated with increased insomnia in maintenance hemodialysis patients, partially mediated by fear of progression and moderated by self-compassion. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Negative illness perception is associated with increased insomnia in maintenance hemodialysis patients, partially mediated by fear of progression and moderated by self-compassion.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 332 maintenance hemodialysis patients in Chongqing, China, studied from January 2025 to May 2025..
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Illness perception and insomnia among patients with maintenance hemodialysis: a moderated mediation model of fear of progression and self-compassion. (Renal failure, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Negative illness perception increases fear of disease progression
- ▸Fear of progression contributes to insomnia symptoms
- ▸Self-compassion moderates the pathway from illness perception to fear of progression
- ▸Result: Higher self-compassion reduces the impact of negative illness perception on fear of progression and insomnia
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸332 maintenance hemodialysis patients in Chongqing, China, studied from January 2025 to May 2025.
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
- ▸Single-center study in Chongqing, China, limiting generalizability
- ▸Self-report measures may introduce bias
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of maintenance hemodialysis patients had insomnia in this study?▼
55.72% of the 332 patients studied reported significant insomnia.
How does self-compassion affect insomnia in dialysis patients?▼
Higher self-compassion was negatively correlated with insomnia (r=-0.451) and moderated the relationship between illness perception and fear of progression, reducing the impact of negative illness perceptions on sleep problems.
What role does fear of progression play in insomnia among these patients?▼
Fear of progression partially mediated the relationship between illness perception and insomnia, accounting for 17.5% of the total effect.
What interventions are suggested based on these findings?▼
The authors suggest implementing short self-compassion exercises or cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) during dialysis sessions to improve sleep quality.
References
- 1.Huang Y, Chen M, Zhong S, Liu Y, Xu R, Li Y, Li K, Wei Y, Luo X. “Illness perception and insomnia among patients with maintenance hemodialysis: a moderated mediation model of fear of progression and self-compassion..” Renal failure, 2026. PMID: 42478234 DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2026.2670075