Monir Nobahar - Nursing Care Research Center and Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Afshin Samaei - Rehabilitation Research Center, Neurology Department, Kowsar Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Zaynab Hydarinia-Naieni - Nursing Care Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Abbasali Ebrahimian - Nursing Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Mohammad Reza Tammadon - Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Raheb Ghorbani - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

Background and Aim : The prevalence of cognitive disorders in hemodialysis patients is twice as high as the general population, while these disorders often are undiagnosed. Timely prevention and treatment can improve their personal and social functions. Aim of study was determined the effect of Valerian on cognitive disorders and electroencephalography (EGG) in hemodialysis patients.Methods : This crossover, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 39 hemodialysis patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n=19) took Valerian capsules and Group B (n=20) received placebo capsules 60 minutes before bedtime for one month. The type of treatment was replaced between the two groups after a one-month wash-out. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) questionnaire was completed and EGG was performed before and after intervention in both periods.Results : The cognitive scores of the Group valerian were increased significantly in the first (p=0.003) and the second (p=0.005) periods. In addition, the mean increase in the cognitive scores in the Group valerian was significant in the first (p=0.028) and the second periods (p=0.030). However, the changes in EGG showed no significant difference before and after intervention in two groups.Conclusion : The findings of this study indicated that valerian could be effective and significantly improve patients’ cognitive status; however, no significant changes were observed in the electroencephalography of the hemodialysis patients.

Cognitive Disorders; Electroencephalography; Hemodialysis; Valerian