---

Background & Aim: Promoting hope in hemodialysis patients is very important. Various methods have been suggested in order to raise hope in patients with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an illness perception-based intervention on hope in patients with hemodialysis.
Methods & Materials: This is a randomized clinical trial (IRCT2016103130609N1) on 120 hemodialysis patients admitted in the dialysis department of Bou Ali Sina hospital in Qazvin from December to February 2016. The samples were randomly assigned into control and intervention groups. Before the intervention, questionnaires including demographic information, the Herth hope scale and a summarized form of illness perception were completed. The intervention group received the illness perception-based intervention in three sessions of 30 minutes each, prior to hemodialysis. Four weeks later, the Herth hope scale and illness perception questionnaire were re-completed by the both groups. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and ANCOVA using the SPSS software version 23.
Results: Results showed no statistically significant differences in hope scores between the two groups (P=0.5589) but after the intervention, hope scores significantly increased in the experimental group (36.54±2.98) compared to the control group (33.88±3.76) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The result of the present study indicated the illness perception-based intervention was effective in enhancing hope in the patients underwent hemodialysis. Therefore, this intervention is recommended for hemodialysis patients.