The purpose of this study was to examine effects of a dietary program based on self-efficacy theory on dietary adherence, physical status and quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis patients.

A non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. The intervention group received the dietary program for 8 weeks from August 4 to September 26, 2014. The control group received only usual care.

ANCOVA showed that dietary adherence (F=64.75, p<.001) was significantly different between the two groups. Serum albumin (F=12.13, p =.001), interdialytic weight gain (F=56.97, p<.001), calories (F=15.80, p<.001) as physical status indices were significantly different, but serum potassium (F=2.69, p=.106) and serum phosphorus (F=1.08, p=.303) showed no significant difference between the two groups. In terms of health-related QoL, the physical component scale (F=10.05, p=.002) and the mental component scale (F=16.66, p<.001) were significantly different between the two groups. In addition, in terms of diet related QoL, diet level (F=35.33, p<.001) and satisfaction level (F=15.57, p<.001) were significantly different between the two groups, but dietary impact level (F=1.23, p =.271) was not significantly different.

Findings show that the dietary program based on self-efficacy theory is an effective nursing intervention program to improve adherence to diet, and to maintain physical status and QoL for hemodialysis patients.