Effectiveness of Isotonic Exercise in Reduction of Muscle Cramps among Hemodialysis Patients in Dialysis Unit

Abstract

Background: Kidney is a vital organ and the main function is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood. Different kidney pathogenesis challenges the function of human body and puts human life danger. Two such important pathogenesis is acute and chronic renal failure. The incidence of acute renal failure has been estimated to be 209 patients per million populations per year and 37% of patients treated in intensive care units. Muscle cramps also can occur when patients are below dry weight. The severe muscle cramping experienced near the end of the hemodialysis treatment and persisting for a time after hemodialysis often is due to dehydration. Treatment for cramping varies from unit to unit. When patients are having cramping and have low blood pressure, the staff may give normal saline. Aim of the study: The main aim of the study to assess effectiveness of isotonic exercise on muscle cramps among hemodialysis patients. Methods: Quantitative research design was adopted for the study with 60 samples which met the inclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling technique. Demographic variables data were collected by using a multiple-choice questionnaire followed by Pretest was conducted by using muscle cramp assessment tool for both experimental group and control group. Isotonic exercise was given 10 to 15 minutes at one session for experimental group Post test was conducted by using muscle cramps assessment tool and for both experimental group and control group. Result: Out of 60 samples, The calculated student Independent ‘t’ test value of t = 2.500 was found to be statistically highly significant at p<0.05 level. This clearly infers that isotonic exercise on muscle cramps administered to hemodialysis patients in the experimental group was found to be effective in reducing the level of muscle cramps in the post test than the hemodialysis patients in the control group. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in reduction of muscle cramps those who received isotonic exercise intervention than those who do not receive the isotonic exercise.