Effect of intradialytic resistance exercise on quality of life of hemodialysis patients in Hamad Medical Corporation: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND

Dialysis patients suffer from anemia, muscle fatigue and atrophy, decreased aerobic capacity resulting in reduced physical activity, and decreased quality of life (QoL). The end-stage kidney disease patients often experience reduced QoL due to physical and psychological burdens. This study aims to evaluate the effect of intradialytic resistance exercise (IRE) on QoL, dialysis adequacy, muscle cramps, and physical function of dialysis patients.

METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Al Khor Dialysis Unit. Participants performed supervised TheraBand exercises during dialysis, including warm-ups, IREs, and stretching. WHO QoL - BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life- (Brief Version)) questionnaires and physical function tests, including a 10-m walk test and a 30-second sit-stand test, were performed. The exercise was performed within the first 2 hours of the dialysis session for 6 months. Twenty-four patients were followed for a period of 6 months.

RESULTS

The mean QoL score at baseline was 67.9 ± 20.9, which increased to 70.3 ± 17.2 after 3 months and 74.5 ± 15.8 after 6 months. There were 71% male and 29% female in the average age group of 59.9 years. No significant correlations were observed between QoL and demographic factors such as gender, education, or income. Additionally, muscle cramps improved slightly from 4% at baseline to 8% post intervention. Kt/V, a measure of dialysis adequacy, remained stable after the intervention. Physical performance improved, with sit-to-stand test repetitions increasing from 7.2 ± 2.9 to 10.1 ± 4.5, though the time for the 10-m walk test improved slightly.

CONCLUSION

The resistance exercise intervention demonstrated modest numerical improvements in quality of life and physical function, although these trends should be interpreted cautiously.