A haemodialysis exercise programme using novel exercise equipment: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored whether an exercise programme for haemodialysis patients, including the use of a purpose built dialysis exercise machine, would improve quality of life (QoL), nutrition, physical function and biochemical indices.


METHODS
Intervention was a 6 month individualised exercise programme, which was continued up to 12 months. QoL, and biochemical indices were measured at 6 months and nutrition was measured at 12 months. Physical function was measured at 4, 8 and 12 months.


RESULTS
N=22. Improvement in physical function tests was found for the sit to stand (p = 0.005), step in place (p = 0.005) and arm curl (p = 0.05) tests from baseline to 4 months. We showed a decreased in serum phosphate (0.19 mmol/L p = 0.008), no change in other nutritional parameters and an increase in urea reduction ratio (1.6% p = 0.019) in the exercising group. The QoL health and physical functioning domain improved with increased significance (+3.5 p = 0.055).


CONCLUSIONS
The development of a structured exercise programme can improve quality of life, physical functioning, PO4 levels and urea clearances of dialysis patients.
Bennett
Paul N
PN
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, South Australia. paul.bennett@flinders.edu.au
Breugelmans
Leo
L
Agius
Megan
M
Simpson-Gore
Kathy
K
Barnard
Bob
B
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D004867:Equipment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010710:Phosphates