Wiendenbach Theory – Impact of Intradialytic Exercise on Quality of Life of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background Chronic kidney disease CKD results in imbalance of fluid electrolytes and acid-base making the body increasingly intoxicated. End stage renal disease ESRD is the last stage of CKD and renal transplant or dialysis is the only management. Dialysis patients face a lot of problems leading to reduction in quality of life QOL.Objective With the advancement in medical technology and healthcare the survival time of patients with CKD is significantly prolonged. However they experience fatigue and poor health-related QOL. This study evaluated the impact of intradialytic exercise program IDEP on QOL of forty hemodialysis patients based on Ernestine Wiedenbachrsquos model.Methodology Forty hemodialysis patients were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. Subjects in the intervention group performed range of motion and resistance exercises for 25-30 minutes along with routine care whereas control group received only routine care.Results The results of repeated measures ANOVA and independent t test showed that within the intervention group there was a significant improvement in all domains of SF-36 quality of life scale at p lt0.001 indicating that intradialytic exercise was effective. In the control group no such improvement but rather a slight reduction in quality of life score was observed.Conclusion The results demonstrated that intradialytic exercise program was effective in improving quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Therefore it is recommended that according to individual patient capacity inclusion of exercise during dialysis shall reinforce the routine dialysis care.