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. 2022 Dec;54(12):3271-3281.
doi: 10.1007/s11255-022-03266-6. Epub 2022 Jul 5.

The effect of a 9-month hybrid intradialytic exercise training program on nerve conduction velocity parameters in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy

Stefania S Grigoriou  1 , Christina Karatzaferi  1 , Christoforos D Giannaki  2 , Gianna Patramani  3 , Christina Vogiatzi  3 , Georgia I Mitrou  1 , Ioannis Stefanidis  3 , Giorgos K Sakkas  4   5
Affiliations

The effect of a 9-month hybrid intradialytic exercise training program on nerve conduction velocity parameters in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy

Stefania S Grigoriou et al. Int Urol Nephrol. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction and aims: Neurological complications such as peripheral neuropathy are very common in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, occurring in 60-80% of this specific population. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a 9-month hybrid intradialytic exercise training program could alter motor and sensory nerve conduction study (NCS) parameters in hemodialysis population.

Methods: Seventeen stable patients undergoing HD with no clinical evidence of uremic polyneuropathy were included in the study (15 M/2F, 59 ± 13.7 years). All patients completed a 9-month supervised exercise training program composed of both aerobic cycling and resistance training (hybrid) during HD. Functional capacity was assessed by a battery of tests, while pain levels and fatigue profile were assessed via validated questionnaires. Motor and sensory NCS on bilateral median, ulnar, peroneal and tibial nerves as well as F-wave were assessed using a full neurographic electromyography (EMG) assessment.

Results: After the 9-month exercise training intervention, exercise capacity was increased by 65% and functional capacity by an average of 40%. The neurological assessment showed that conduction velocity from tibial and peroneal nerves was improved by 3.7% and 4.2%, respectively, while tibial F-wave latency and peroneal and sural nerve distal latency were significantly improved by 4.2%, 4.9% and 10%, respectively. Fatigue and pain were improved after the exercise intervention while fatigue score was positively correlated with conduction velocity and amplitude values.

Conclusions: The results of the current study demonstrate that 9-month hybrid exercise training induces beneficial effects on both sensory and motor NCS parameters, improving conduction velocity and F-wave latency. Improvements in neural activity were accompanied by changes in fatigue score and pain-related aspects. The parallel improvement in motor nerve conduction velocity and its correlations with functional tests supports the hypothesis that exercise could be beneficial for preventing a decline in neural function in HD patients.

Keywords: Electromyography; Exercise; Fatigue; Functional capacity; Hemodialysis.

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References

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