[Well-designed training programs crucial for dialysis patients]

Abstract

For many reasons patients on hemodialysis treatment have a low physical capacity. In this study the physical capacity was tested in 41 patients with chronic renal failure during their first weeks on hemodialysis and after 18 months of treatment. Compared to reference values the test result showed a significantly decreased physical strength, endurance and balance capacity already at the start of the dialysis. The patients were tested and got individually tailored information at the kidney unit and received some physical training outside the hospital. After 18 months the result for the group was not improved in spite of the fact that the 11 most frail patients had died. Diabetic and elderly patients had a significantly lower result than the rest of the patients. Future research will show, if more regular exercise (predialytic) individually programmed by a specially trained physiotherapist who can obtain up-to-date medical information as working in close contact to a dialysis unit, will further improve the condition of these patients.