Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of nursing interventions in the care of adult patients with kidney failure

Numerous nursing interventions have the potential to improve clinical outcomes in individuals with kidney failure; however, their effectiveness can vary. Therefore, it is essential to systematically review and synthesize the evidence regarding these interventions. This research sought to evaluate the effectiveness of various nursing interventions in enhancing clinical outcomes in adult patients with kidney failure. An extensive literature review was performed across five databases utilizing two distinct keyword sets up to May 2026. The study design was structured according to the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) framework. Studies that did not meet the established inclusion criteria were excluded from the analysis. This review encompassed a total of 142 studies. The findings indicate that a variety of nursing interventions can significantly improve health outcomes for patients with kidney failure. Notably, high-quality nursing care and comprehensive nursing programs demonstrated the greatest efficacy. Additionally, interventions such as shared-care models, educational nursing approaches, music therapy, telephone-based support, and self-care strategies—despite their relatively low cost—also contributed to patient improvement. The meta-analysis revealed that nursing interventions significantly increased patient satisfaction compared to control groups [2.71 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.72–3.70)] and reduced complication rates compared to control groups [-7.39 (95% Confidence Interval: -11.48 to − 3.31)]. The findings of this review highlight that various nursing interventions can positively influence outcomes in adult patients. Future research should focus on developing a comprehensive model and rigorously evaluating its effectiveness. Not applicable. Numerous nursing interventions have the potential to improve health outcomes in adult patients with kidney failure; however, their effectiveness can vary. Therefore, it is essential to systematically review and synthesize the evidence concerning these interventions and their impacts. Nursing care interventions are a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, providing the framework for patient care. Currently, numerous nursing interventions are applied to adult patients with kidney failure; however, their effectiveness remains inconsistent. The evaluation of nursing care interventions is most effectively conducted through the integration of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. This study examines and elucidates the effectiveness of interventions for adult patients with kidney failure, with particular emphasis on their role in establishing and maintaining a trusting therapeutic relationship. Through a comprehensive concept analysis, this paper deepens the understanding of nursing interventions’ effectiveness in the context of kidney failure, while also addressing the benefits and challenges encountered in their application within healthcare settings.