Effect of yoga on physical and psychological outcomes in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Abstract

Introduction: Patients on chronic hemodialysis suffer from a myriad of problems associated with dialysis including increased cardiovascular disease, deconditioning, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression, and decreased health related quality of life. Yoga has been reported to have positive effects on distress and functional performance in patients with chronic diseases. The effect of yoga in patients on chronic hemodialysis is unknown. For the purpose of this study, papers were reviewed to determine the effect of intradialysis yoga on distress and functional performance in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Methods: This integrative review examined studies published in Pubmed, CINAHL and PsychINFO. The search terms included: yoga, hemodialysis, dialysis.

Results: Two RCTs met the criteria. Yoga showed improvement in several outcomes including: quality of life, pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, physical function as well as a number of biochemical variables. Further well designed RCTs need to be conducted.