Effects of Exercise Program on Physical Functioning of Hemodialysis Patients.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is defined as the structural and functional abnormalities of kidney along with decreased Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 for 3 months. It also refers to an irreversible deterioration in renal function that usually develops over a period of years it represents not only as a biochemical abnormality but, eventually, loss of the excretory, metabolic and hormonal functions of the kidney which leads to the clinical symptoms and signs of renal failure. The alarmingly high prevalence of reduced GFR in adult men and women in Pakistan is not unexpected as the prevalence of risk factors of CKD including hypertension and diabetes is one of the highest reported worldwide. The prevalence rate of CKD is found to be 70% in Pakistan. Clinical sign of raised urea and creatinine should be found during routine blood tests. An early symptom is nocturia, tiredness or breathlessness, renal anemia or fluid overload, pruritus, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and hiccups. In very advanced (chronic stage) renal failure, respiration may be particularly deep (Kussmaul breathing), metabolic acidosis, and patients may develop muscular twitching, fits, drowsiness and coma. Chronic kidney disease can be managed by lifestyle modifications (dietary management, weight management, physical activity) are the initial components of treatment. Blockade of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, blood pressure control, optimally managed comorbid diabetes and avoidance of nephrotoxic medications to prevent worsening renal function are also part of management. Hemodialysis is a medical procedure to remove the waste products in the form of fluid from the blood and to correct electrolyte imbalances. This is accomplished using a machine and a dialyzer, also referred to as an artificial kidney. As dialysis requires patients to be seated for extended periods of time, the risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure, decreased quality of life, musculoskeletal problems, such as low back pain and muscle tightness is higher than normal.

The physiotherapeutic exercise program during hemodialysis improves the quality of life (QOL) of chronic renal patients in physical, social, environmental and psychological. On regular basis physiotherapy intervention is to a lower frequency of edema and muscle cramps and to reduce the intensity of pain. It also influences the improvement of the respiratory function, showed by the evolution of the values maximal inspiratory pressure (IPmax), maximal expiratory pressure (EPmax) and peak expiratory flow.

Studies reported that aerobic as well as strength training proved to have favorable short and long-term effects on the physical performance and the functional balance in patients on maintenance renal hemodialysis.

All patients undertaking hemodialysis (HD) are recommended to exercise to some extent. Intra-dialytic resistance training program is also feasible and effective, causing improvement in physical functioning by improving the strength, exercise capacity and performance in physical tests. Patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis, inspiratory muscle training induces improvement in respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, lung function and quality of life. Inspiratory muscle training can improve maximal respiratory pressures, lung function, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure who are receiving hemodialysis.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients undertaking hemodialysis sessions for last 3 months
• Hemodynamically stable patients
• Stable clinical and functional state for at least 4 weeks
• Conscious level preserved
• Stage 5, Kidney Failure (GFR <15)

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with acute illness or infection, recent surgery, or vascular intervention
• Hospitalized within past 4 weeks (with dialysis or non-dialysis reasons)
• Uncontrolled Hypertension
• Patients with difficulty walking, without a walking aid owing to orthopedic problems
• Patients with neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac and pulmonary disease and physical impairment