Table 3.

Characteristics of the included studies.

Study/Country	Participants (Intervention group/Control Group)			Intervention	Assessments Timepoints /Outcomes	Findings
	Sample size	Mean age	Sex, men %
Bahraseman et al. 2021 [41]/Iran	31/31 Attrition rate 3.3%	46.0 ± 2.0/49.4 ± 1.9	30(50%)	Components Education: knowledge regarding stress management (rules, norms, theoretical knowledge, and factors) Psychotherapeutic techniques: coping strategies (problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies) + emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: RN with MS Delivery mode: face to face/group Dose: 90/ session, twice a week, for four weeks Setting: dialysis centers Control: usual care	Pre-post-1m Coping strategy use (CSS) Self-efficacy (GSES)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in coping strategy use (effect size = 1.70, t = 6.27, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (effect size = 2.48, t = 11.9, p < 0.001) compared with patients in the control group.
Chan et al. 2022 [42]/China	40/41 Attrition rate 6.2%	68.4 ± 8.7/65.0 ± 11.0	42 (58.3%)	Components Education: regarding treatment modalities available for ESRD patients (60 min) (face-to-face) Psychotherapeutic techniques: goal setting + problem-solving + emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal, positive thinking and expression) Theory/Model: theory of hope Intervention providers: renal nurse specialists Delivery mode: face-to-face, telephone or video call/individual Dose: two 60-minute sessions and two 30-minute sessions, once a week, for 4 weeks Setting: the nephrology unit Control: routine care	Pre-post-4w Quality of life (KDQOL-36)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in the effects of kidney disease (Wald χ2 = 8.324, p = 0.004) and mental component summary (Wald χ2 = 6.763, p = 0.009).
Chen et al. 2021 [18]/ Singapore	77/77	59.7 ± 12.4 /62.0 ± 13.7	72(58.1%)	Components Education: information regarding ESKD, caring for dialysis vascular access, monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar, medication management, and fluid and diet management (face-to-face + booklet) Psychotherapeutic techniques: emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and positive thinking) + goal setting + relaxation techniques (abdominal breathing exercise) + problem-solving + coping strategies (self-reflection) Theory/Model: Bandura’s self-efficacy theory Intervention providers: RN with PhD Delivery mode: face-to-face/individual Dose: 90 min/session, twice a week, for one week Setting: dialysis centers Control: routine care	Pre-1m-3m-6m Self-care self-efficacy (DSSS) Anxiety and depression (HADS) Treatment adherence (RAAQ and RABQ) HRQoL (KDQoL™-36)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in anxiety (effect size = -o.41, F = 3.001, p = 0.040) and depression (effect size = −0.42, F = 5.170, p = 0.003) compared with patients in the control group. No significant effects were found in other outcomes.
Cukor et al. 2014 [43]/America	38/27 BDI ≥ 10 Attrition rate 9.2%	NI	18 (27.3%)	Components Education: knowledge of depression (difference between depression and medical illness) + adherence to dialysis Psychotherapeutic techniques: emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal) + behavior modification (behavioral activation) + social support (initiating contact, building support network) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: a doctoral-level psychologist and two doctoral-level trainees under the supervision Delivery mode: face-to-face/individual Dose: 60 min/session, once a week, for three months Setting: dialysis centers Control: usual care	Pre-post-3m Depression (BDI-II and HAM-D) Quality of life (KDQOL)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in depression (effect size = −0.17, t = 1.29, p < 0.05) and quality of life (effect size = 0.16, t = 0.21, p = 0.04) compared with patients in the control group.
Durmuş et al. 2021 [44]/ Turkey	43/43 Attrition rate 17.4%	56.1 ± 12.7	43(60.1%)	Components Education: knowledge regarding spiritual care (content, related concept and definition) (face-to-face + booklet) Psychotherapeutic techniques: emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal, expression and moral support) + relaxation techniques (guided meditation) + coping strategies (self-judgment, tolerance and comprehension) + problem solving Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: NI Delivery mode: face-to-face/individual Dose: 20–30min/session, twice a week, for eight weeks Setting: dialysis centers Control: standard treatment	Pre-post Anxiety and depression (HADS)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in anxiety (effect size = −0.94, t = 6.70, p = 0.000) and depression (effect size = −0.80, t = 4.88, p = 0.001) compared with patients in the control group.
Erdley et al. 2014 [38]/America	17/18 Attrition rate 5.7%	72.3 ± 5.6 73.5 ± 8.3	21(65.6%)	Components Education: knowledge regarding depression (causes, symptoms, medications, and treatments) (face-to-face + booklet) Psychotherapeutic techniques: goal setting + problem-solving + coping strategies (stress management, combat negativity) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: nephrologist Delivery mode: face-to-face/group Dose: 60 min/session, once a week, for six weeks Setting: hospital Control: routine care	Pre-post Depression (BDI and PHQ-9)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in depression (effect size = −0.97, t = 2.15, p < 0.05) compared with patients in the control group.
Espahbodi et al. 2015 [36]/ Iran	30/30	49.1 ± 14.552.3 ± 15.6	27(45%)	Components Education: disease knowledge regarding renal failure (anatomy description, pathophysiology and treatment method) + caring for dialysis (NI) Psychotherapeutic techniques: problem-solving + coping strategies (stress management, adaptive response in humans) + relaxation techniques (muscle relaxation) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: a nephrologist and a psychiatrist Delivery mode: face-to-face/group Dose: 60 min/session, once every other day, for one week Setting: dialysis centers Control: routine care	Pre-1m Anxiety and depression (HADS)	No significant effects were found in depression and anxiety.
He, 2008 [37]/China	16/16	49.5 ± 15.3	19(59.4%)	Components Education: knowledge regrading dialysis (diet, fistula care, medication, infection prevention and precautions) (face-to-face) Psychotherapeutic techniques: relaxation techniques (muscle relaxation, listening to music and intention guidance) + emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and expression) + coping strategies (stress management, combat negativity) + social support (peer support) + goal setting Theory/Model: Ellis ABC theory Intervention providers: RN with MS Delivery mode: face-to-face/group Dose: 90 min/session, once a week, for twelve weeks Setting: dialysis centers Control: routine care	Pre-post Stress (HSS) Depression (SDS) Anxiety (SAS) Mental health (SCL-90) Quality of life (SF-36)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in stress (effect size = −0.88, t = −3.19, p = 0.003), depression (effect size = −0.24, t = −0.21, p = 0.045), anxiety (effect size = −0.82, t = −2.95, p = 0.006), mental health (effect size = −1.92, t = −3.11, p = 0.003), physiological health of QOL (effect = 1.09, t = 3.76, p = 0.001), and mental health of QOL (effect size = 0.54, t = 2.90, p = 0.007) compared with patients in the control group.
Hou et al. 2014 [45]/China	52/51	54.5 ± 13.8 52.4 ± 14.5	42(40.8%)	Components Education: knowledge regarding cognitive behavioral therapy (intervention methods, theory, effects, and notes) Psychotherapeutic techniques: relaxation techniques (muscle relaxation) + behavior modification (sleep-related behavior modification and mental support) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: physician Delivery mode: face-to-face/individual Dose: muscle relaxation:30min/session, once two days, after the patients were well trained:60min/session, three times a week, for three months Setting: dialysis centers Control: routine care	Pre-post Anxiety and depression (SCL-90) Sleep quality (PSQI)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in anxiety (effect size = −1.94, t = 9.46, p = 0.000), depression (effect size = −0.61, t = −4.08, p = 0.000), and sleep quality (effect size = −1.52, t = 8.41, p = 0.000) compared with patients in the control group.
Jenkins et al. 2021 [46]/Australia	42/42 Attrition rate 48.8%	60.8 ± 10.2 59.8 ± 13.2	30 (52.6%)	Components Education: knowledge regarding ESKD, health and medication Psychotherapeutic techniques: emotion management (cognitive reappraisal) + social support + problem-solving Theory/Model: self-determination theory Intervention providers: a health professional (e.g., nurse, psychologist) Delivery mode: face-to-face, telephone or video call/individual Dose: 60 min/session, once a week, for eight weeks; plus, a booster session 3 months after session eight Setting: the nephrology unit Control: routine care	Pre-post-3m-9m Depression and anxiety (HADS) Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF) Self-efficacy (GSE)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in depression (effect size = −1.16, η2 = 0.012, p = 0.012); No significant effects were found in other outcomes.
Lerma et al. 2017 [47]/ Mexico	38/22	41.8 ± 14.7 41.7 ± 15.1	23(38.3%)	Components Education: regarding depression and behavioral activation + (face-to-face + booklet) Psychotherapeutic techniques: coping strategies (stress management, combat negativity) + relaxation techniques (deep breathing + muscle relaxation) + emotion management (cognitive reappraisal, positive thinking, expression and self-reflection) + goal setting + behavior modification (behavioral activation) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: therapist Delivery mode: face-to-face/group Dose: 120 min/session, 5 times a week, for 5 weeks Setting: dialysis centers Control: routine care	Pre-post-1m Anxiety and depression (BAI and BDI) QOL (Quality of Life Scale scores)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in anxiety (effect size = −0.64, t = 2.80, p < 0.01), depression (effect size = −0.62, t = 3.13, p < 0.01) and quality of life (effect size = 0.64, t = 3.07, p < 0.01) compared with patients in the control group.
Saraireh et al. 2018 [40]/Jordan	65/65	52.0 ± 10.7 53.4 ± 8.0	55(50%)	Components Education: disease knowledge regarding renal failure (pathophysiology, medications, diet management and treatment method) (face-to-face) Psychotherapeutic techniques: problem-solving + relaxation techniques (distraction, visualization, optimism, deep breathing) + coping strategies (stress management) + emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and positive thinking) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: RN with PhD Delivery mode: face-to-face/individual Dose: 60 min/session, 7 times, duration and frequency (NI) Setting: dialysis centers Control: CBT	Pre-post Depression (HADS)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in depression (effect size = −0.74, t = 4.68, p = 0.00) compared with patients in the CBT group.
Shareh et al. 2022 [48]/Iran	58/58	43.7 ± 6.4 46.4 ± 7.9	68(58.6%)	Components Education: regarding depression, anxiety and sleep hygiene (diet, exercise, and sleep management) + disease (face-to-face) Psychotherapeutic techniques: relaxation techniques (breathing exercises, guided imagination and muscle relaxation) + emotion management (cognitive reappraisal includes identifying, challenging, and altering the thoughts) Theory/Model: none Intervention providers: general practitioner, psychologist and psychotherapist Delivery mode: face-to-face/group (7-9) Dose: 90 min/session, once a week, for nine weeks Setting: dialysis centers Control: received psychoeducation consultation in a group format	pre-post Sleep Quality (PSQI) Anxiety and depression (BAI and BDI)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in sleep quality (effect size = −0.31, F = 414.98, p = 0.000,#x003B7;2 = 0.79), anxiety (effect size = −0.68, F = 235.70, p = 0.000, η2 = 0.682), depression (effect size = −0.85, F = 176.63, p = 0.000, η2 = 0.616) compared with patients in the control group.
Tsay et al. 2005 [39]/China	33/33 Attrition rate 13.6%	50.7 ± 14.1	27 (46.6%)	Components Education: dealing with problematic symptoms in ESRD (face-to-face) Psychotherapeutic techniques: emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and restructure negative thoughts about chronic illness) + coping strategies (stress management) + relaxation techniques (mental imagery, selected music therapy, and progressive muscular relaxation) + problem-solving + social support (peer support) + goal setting Theory/Model: transactional theory of stress and coping + cognitive-behavioral model Intervention providers: a clinical nurse specialist in nephrology and a clinical psychotherapist Delivery mode: face-to-face/individual + group (11) Dose: 120 min/session, once a week, for eight weeks Setting: center hemodialysis unit Control: routine care	Pre-3m Perceived stress (HSS) Depression (BDI) uality of life (MOS SF-36)	Patients in the intervention group got more improvements in depression levels (effect size = −0.68, t = 2.88, p < 0.01) compared with patients in the control group. No significant effects were found in other outcomes.