Effect of Intradialytic Stretching Exercises on Lower Limbs Muscle Cramps among Patients Undergoing Regular Haemodialysis

Abstract

Many patients suffer with muscle cramps and discomfort during the haemodialysis procedure. Intradialytic stretching exercises are helpful in reducing the intensity of muscle cramps. The study objective was to evaluate the effect of intradialytic stretching exercises on lower limbs muscle cramps on the patients undergoing regular haemodialysis in study group when compared with control group. Experimental research design were adopted for the study; 126 patients undergoing regular haemodialysis in outpatient haemodialysis centre were randomly allotted for study and control groups i.e. 63 in each group. The patients’ muscle cramps was assessed using cramp questionnaire chart developed by Basemath SS Morris in both groups. Intradialytic stretching exercises were provided to the patients in the study group in each leg from their 3rd to 10th sitting. Post-assessment was carried out on their 4th, 7th, and 10th sitting in the study group and the control groups. The control group patients were received routine hospital care. The lower limb muscle cramps mean score was found improvement from pre-assessment lower limb muscle cramp mean score 4.11 to post-assessment 10th sitting means score 2.086 after intradialytic stretching exercise in the study group. The study result showed that in post-assessment the lower limb muscle cramps was much better among the patients in study group who received the intradialytic stretching exercise than the patients in the control group who received routine hospital care. Intradialytic stretching exercises are reducing the intensity of muscle cramps in patients undergoing haemodialysis