Exercise Training During Hemodialysis Reduces Blood Pressure and Increases Physical Functioning and Quality of Life

Abstract

Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients and are associated with the reduction of physical functioning and quality of life. We evaluated the effects of supervised aerobic exercise training on physical functioning, blood pressure, quality of life, and laboratory data in hemodialysis patients. Fourteen patients were evaluated at the beginning and after 12 weeks of stretching exercises (control phase) and at the end of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training performed during hemodialysis sessions (intervention phase). Patients underwent a 6-min walking test (6MWT), 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire, and blood sample collections. After the intervention phase, the 6MWT distance increased from 508.7 +/- 91.9 m to 554.9 +/- 105.8 m (P = 0.001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased respectively from 150.6 +/- 18.4 mm Hg to 143.5 +/- 14.7 mm Hg and from 94.6 +/- 10.5 mm Hg to 91.4 +/- 9.7 mm Hg (P < 0.05), while hemoglobin levels increased from 10.8 +/- 1.2 g/dL to 11.6 +/- 0.8 g/dL (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the physical functioning, social functioning, and mental health dimensions of the SF-36. Aerobic exercise training during hemodialysis increased physical functioning, reduced blood pressure levels, and improved the control of anemia and quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease.

The Effect of Interdialytic Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Training on Health Related Outcomes in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: The Tunisian Randomized Controlled Study

“…After intervention period, the 6MWT distance was significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group, indicating that the endurance-resistance program increased physical functioning in HD patients. These findings are in agreement with previous reports on exercise in HD patients (Parsons et al, 2006; Reboredo Mde et al, 2010). For instance, Reboredo Mde et al (2010) showed that 3 months of aerobic exercise training performed during hemodialysis sessions increased significantly by 9% the 6MWT distance in 14 HD patients.…”

“…These findings are in agreement with previous reports on exercise in HD patients (Parsons et al, 2006; Reboredo Mde et al, 2010). For instance, Reboredo Mde et al (2010) showed that 3 months of aerobic exercise training performed during hemodialysis sessions increased significantly by 9% the 6MWT distance in 14 HD patients. In another study, Parsons et al (2006) showed that 5 months of endurance exercise training during dialysis in 13 HD patients were associated with an increase of 14% in the 6MWT distance.…”

“…Interestingly, the 6MWT is a useful tool and widely used to assess the effect of dialysis therapy on physical function (Segura-Orti and Martinez-Olmos, 2011). The mean 6MWT distance of our patients at the initial assessment was similar to values reported in previous studies conducted in HD patients (Painter et al, 2000; Headley et al, 2002; Parsons et al, 2006; Reboredo Mde et al, 2010). After intervention period, the 6MWT distance was significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group, indicating that the endurance-resistance program increased physical functioning in HD patients.…”

“…In the previous studies, the authors administered intradialytic exercise training program (Painter et al, 2000; Headley et al, 2002; Parsons et al, 2006; Reboredo Mde et al, 2010). However, performing physical exercise during HD may induce complications.…”

Inspiratory muscle training improves strength and health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients

“…However, studies have demonstrated that these factors can be influenced by a training program (resistance exercises, aerobic training and flexibility) which can improve the health-related quality of life of HD patients. (12,34,35) The training program should not be neglected in health care because it has a positive effect on mental health and well-being, reducing depression and anxiety and improving cognitive functioning (36) . Some aspects about the relevance of this study should be highlighted.…”