A program of physical rehabilitation during hemodialysis sessions improves the fitness of dialysis patients

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of cycle exercise during hemodialysis (HD) on patients' physical proficiency, muscle strength, quality of life and selected laboratory parameters.

Patients and methods: In a group of 29 (15 female, 14 male) HD patients (age 64.2 ± 13.1 years), 3 months of cycle training during dialysis sessions was performed. The following data were analyzed: strength of lower extremities (six-minute walk test, isokinetic knee extension, flexion peak torque), nutrition parameters (albumin, BMI), inflammation intensity (CRP, IL-6), and quality of life (SF-36v2).

Results: In the six-minute walk test, the increase in walk velocity was 4% (3.56 km/h before and 3.73 km/h after cycle training; p < 0.01). At angular velocity (AV) of 60°/s, extension peak torque in the knee joint rose by 7% and at AV of 300°/s by 4% (p = 0.04). Flexion peak torque at AV of 180°/s increased by 13% (p = 0.0005). The program does not influence nutrition or inflammation parameters. No complications directly related to exercise were observed.

Conclusion: Cycle exercise during dialysis is safe even in older HD patients with multiple comorbidities. It results in a significant increase in general patient walking ability and in a gain in lower extremity muscle strength.