Impact of intradialytic exercise on fatigue, biochemical and physiological parameters in patients on maintenance hemodialysis - A pilot study - Part 1

Abstract

IntroductionPhysical inactivity is most prevalent in hemodialysis population and is associated with a variety of unfavourable clinical outcomes. Fatigue and elevated biochemical markers are directly linked to decreased physical activity. Intradialytic exercise is one of the non-pharmacological interventions for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving hemodialysis which is seldom implemented at most of the hemodialysis centers. This pilot study aims to evaluate the effect of intradialytic exercise program (IDEP) on fatigue and biochemical markers in endstage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis. MethodsUsing quasi experimental design, forty patients from two dialysis centers were recruited and assigned randomly to intervention (n = 20) and control groups (n = 20). Patients in intervention group were taught IDEP for 25 min, two times a week along with routine care whereas control group patients received only routine care. Fatigue, biochemical and physiological parameters were assessed at baseline and at various time points after IDEP. In intervention group there was a gradual decrease in fatigue but the physiological and biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, urea, creatinine, potassium, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure remained without much change. In control group, the level of fatigue did not change in most of the patients. In some patients there was an increase in fatigue level. ConclusionIDEP is a cost-effective, safe, complementary, non - pharmacological intervention for fatigue which can be performed under medical supervision during hemodialysis. IDEP incorporation in the routine care shall lead to improvement in the fatigue level but will not cost extra time for the patient.