Effects of Intradialytic Exercise on Dialytic Parameters, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Depression Status in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Exercise is fundamentally important in managing chronic diseases and improving health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, whether intradialytic exercise is safe through assessment of changes in dialytic parameters and has a positive impact on HRQL and depression status of hemodialysis patients requires further research with diverse racial and cultural populations to identify. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intradialytic exercise on dialytic parameters, HRQL, and depression status in hemodialysis patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Sixty-four hemodialysis patients were recruited using stratified random sampling. Participants were randomized into an experimental group (EG, n = 32) or a control group (CG, n = 32). The EG received a 12-week intradialytic exercise program while the CG maintained their usual lifestyles. Dialytic parameters, HRQL, and depression status were collected at baseline and at 12 weeks. The results indicated no differences in the dialytic parameters from the baseline between both groups. However, the EG had increased HRQL (ß = 22.6, p < 0.001) and reduced depression status (ß = −7.5, p = 0.02) at 12 weeks compared to the CG. Therefore, a 12-week intradialytic exercise regime is safe and effective in improving HRQL and reducing depression status for hemodialysis patients.

Correlation between Physical Activity and Psychological Distress in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis with Comorbidities: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Exercise is beneficial for treating depression symptoms. The incorporation of physical activity interventions in hemodialysis treatment can effectively reduce the depression of patients on hemodialysis, which has a positive effect of their disease treatment [ 44 ]. Exercise also stimulates several neuroplastic processes that are implicated in depression, mitigates chronic inflammation, induces the release of endorphins to increase stress resilience, and increases the self-esteem and self-efficacy of individuals [ 45 ].…”

Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients on Hemodialysis with Comorbidities: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Regular physical activity can improve the physical functioning, muscle tension and strength, PCS, and MCS of patients [ 25 , 36 ]. In patients on hemodialysis, performing regular moderate-intensity exercises three times per week, with each exercise session lasting for more than 30 min, can improve their PCS, MCS [ 37 ], and HRQoL in terms of the pain, physical role, and general health domains [ 24 , 38 ]. Exercise can also improve the physical functioning of patients on hemodialysis, stabilize their cognitive function, reduce their risk of developing health conditions, and improve their quality of life [ 39 ].…”

Sport und Bewegungsmöglichkeiten bei älteren Dialysepatienten

“…körperlicher Aktivität und Fitness. Verbesserung von Kraft und Ausdauer [41,45] Verbesserung der Lebensqualität, weniger Depressivität [11,42,45,53] Stabilisierung des Blutdrucks, Verminderung von "myocardial stunning" [36,37] Verbesserung der Insulinsensitivität und des Lipidprofils [54] Minderung kardiovaskulärer Risiken [54,55] effektivere Dialyse, bessere Clearance von Phosphat und anderer Urämietoxine [38][39][40][41] Senkung der Mortalität durch Bewegung [56] langfristige Verbesserung von standardisierten Frailty-Parametern (TUG, STS, 6MWT) [41,57] 6MWT = "6-minute walk test"; STS = "sit-to-stand"; TUG = "timed up-andgo"…”