Effect of intradialytic exercise in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Objective To assess the impact of 24-week intradialytic exercise on the nutritional status, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Forty nine clinically stable MHD patients from Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were enrolled into the study, among forty three patients [65.1% men, (60.2±10.6) years] completed the trial. For 24 consecutive weeks, all patients performed one or two sets of cycle intradialytic exercise program during the first 2 h of their three dialysis sessions per week, 20 min for each set. The parameters included body mass index (BMI), albumin (Alb), total cholesterol (TC), cross-sectional area of triceps brachii, triceps skinfold and grip strength. Nineteen patients performed the symptom-limited treadmill exercise test (modified Bruce protocol) to measure peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), metabolic equivalents (METs), vital capacity and stress-test duration. Their the knee extensor muscle strength was also meadured with the isokinetic test. Results After 24 weeks of exercise, there were increased Alb level (42.1 g/L vs 41.3 g/L,P=0.016), improved grip strength (25.5 kg vs 23.9 kg,P=0.012), and increased stress-test duration (14.5 min vs 13.2 min,P=0.005) in MHD patients. Conclusion The intradialytic exercise partially improves the nutritional status, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance of MHD patients. Key words: Renal dialysis; Nutritional status; Muscle strength; Cardiorespiratory endurance; Intradialytic exercise