title: Preliminary study of an exercise programme for reducing fatigue and improving sleep among long-term haemodialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fatigue and quality of sleep are the main factors that contribute to a poor quality of life among patients on long-term haemodialysis. Studies have also emphasised the importance of exercise for improving the wellbeing of dialysis patients. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a predialysis low-to-moderate-intensity exercise programme for reducing fatigue and improving sleep disorders among long-term haemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this quasi-experimental study, an exercise programme was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks before long-term haemodialysis patients underwent dialysis at two centres. The patients were categorised into either the exercise group (n = 28) or control group (n = 27). The latter was asked to maintain their current lifestyles. Assessments of fatigue and sleep disorder levels were performed for both groups using self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after intervention. The patients' perception of the exercise programme was also determined using self-reported questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paired sample t-test indicated improvements in fatigue level in the exercise group (mean fatigue score: post-treatment 40.5 ± 7.9 vs. pre-treatment 30.0 ± 10.9). Improvements in sleep disorders were also observed in the exercise group (mean score: post-treatment 7.6 ± 3.3 vs. pre-treatment 10.1 ± 3.8). However, sleep quality deteriorated in the control group (mean score: post-treatment 10.7 ± 2.9 vs. pre-treatment 9.3 ± 2.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simple low-to-moderate-intensity exercise is effective for improving fatigue, sleep disorders and the overall quality of life among haemodialysis patients.
authors.forename: Radha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maniam
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pathmawathi@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Pathmawathi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: Surindar Kaur Surat
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Soo Kun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Karuthan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chinna
authors.forename: Roshaslina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome