The effect of intradialytic aerobic training on physical performance and quality of life among hemodialysis patients

Background Patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease have reduced physical performance and impaired quality of life. The aim of this work is to study the effect of intradialytic aerobic training using a pedal on physical performance and quality of life among hemodialysis (HD) patients. Patients and methods This experimental study was conducted on 30 adult patients with end-stage kidney disease on maintenance HD for more than 3 months. Mentally or physically unfit patients, patients with overt ischemic heart disease or cardiac decompensation, severe anemic patients (hemoglobin≤8 g/dl), patients with advanced chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder, patients with advanced lower limbs joints disease, and those with amputation of the lower limb were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups; each group consisted of 15 patients. Group A performed intradialytic aerobic exercise for 30 min three times/week for 8 weeks. Group B was a control group. Results There was significant improvement in the distance walked in 6-min walk test in the exercise group (P=0.04). Moreover, there was significant improvement in the main scales of kidney disease quality-of-life short form, version 1.3, Arabic version (Kidney Disease Component Summary, Physical Composite Scale, and Mental Composite Scale) (P<0.001, P=0.018, and P=0.037, respectively). Conclusion Exercise has a beneficial effect on the physical performance and quality of life in HD patients.