Abstract
Introduction: Despite ongoing advancements in dialysis techniques, patients undergoing this treatment often experience impaired physical performance. Intradialytic exercise has shown potential in improving dialysis adequacy, biochemical markers (calcium and phosphorus), and quality of life for these patients.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of intradialytic exercise on various factors including dialysis efficacy, biochemical markers, quality of life, and physical performance among individuals undergoing hemodialysis.
Patients and Methods: A single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effects of a 6-month exercise program on 30 end-stage renal disease patients who were receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment for at least six months. The patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 16) or the control group (n = 14). The experimental group received a 30-minute intradialytic exercise session three times a week, during the first 2 hour of HD. Blood samples were collected at baseline, as well as at the end of six months of the exercise program, for biochemical measurements. Additionally, the sit-to-stand 10 (STS-10) test and KDQOL-36 scale were completed at the beginning and end of the study to assess the participants’ quality of life.
Results: There were no significant differences between the control and intervention groups in baseline demographic and biochemical characteristics. The results of the STS-10 test showed a noteworthy increase in muscle strength at the end of six months for the exercise group (P<0.05). The prescribed intradialytic exercise led to an improvement in Kt/V and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, although the improvement was not statistically significant (P=0.06). No significant changes were observed in biochemical parameters and the level of quality of life between the two groups after six months (P>0.05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that an intradialytic exercise program is a safe and effective complementary intervention, with the potential for improvement in physical ability.
Trial Registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20080916001256N2; https:// en.irct.ir/trial/43662; Ethical code: IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1399.110).