Quality of Life and Sexual Life in Hemodialysis Patients: Effects of an Intradialytic Exercise Program

This outcome will be measured by means of the Kidney Disease and Quality of life Questionnaire (KDQOL-SF36) which is a specific questionnaire designed for patients with kidney disease on dialysis; it was developed by the Kidney Disease Quality of life Working Group as a self-report measure of health-related quality of life perceived by patients with this condition. It is a self-reported questionnaire that includes generic items for chronic conditions (SF-36) and disease-specific items. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 100; a higher score means a better quality of life.

For men, the outcome will be measured by means of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) which is a questionnaire designed to evaluate erectile dysfunction. It was developed with the aim of assessing the effects of the Sildenafil clinical trial and is now the gold standard measure for erectile dysfunction. It is a self-reported questionnaire that includes 15 questions regarding erectile function, orgasm function, sexual arousal and satisfaction. The minimum score is 5 and the maximum score is 75; a higher score means less dysfunction while a lower one means a more severe dysfunction.

For women, the outcome will be measured by means of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) which is a questionnaire designed to assess female sexual function. It is a self-reported inventory with 19 questions addressing desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. An score under 26 expresses the presence of a dysfunction.

This outcome will be measured by means of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) which is a questionnaire designed to measure global sexual satisfaction regardless gender, sexual orientation or relationship status. It is a self-reported questionnaire that includes 20 questions regarding sexual sensations, sexual awareness, sexual exchange, emotional connection and sexual activity. The maximum score is 100; a higher score means a better perception of their sexual satisfaction.

This will be measured by means of the Beck Depression and Anxiety Scale. It is a sef-reported questionnaire that assesses the clinical symptoms present in depression, it is commonly used to assess the severity of the disease. It consists in 21 questions that ask about how the individual has felt in the past 2 weeks. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum one is 63; a highest score means a more severe depression.

This outcome will be measured by means of a Body Image Perception Questionnaire designed to assess the level of body image disturbance in patients undergoing dialysis or with kidney transplant. It is a self-reported questionnaire with 20 questions with a minimum of 0 points and a maximum of 80; a higher score means a more severe body image disturbance.

The functional capacity will be measured by means of the 6-minute-walk-test (6mwt) which is defined as a constant load stress test that measures the distance the participant can walk in a period of 6 minutes, at a fast pace and with possible resting breaks. The test is widely used in chronic kidney disease patients and reflects the functional ability to perform daily activities.

The functional capacity will also be measured by means of the sit-to-stand test (STS30) which assesses the lower limb function by asking the participant to sit and stand as fast as possible as many times in 30 seconds.

The functional capacity will also be measured by means of the Handgrip Test which assesses the upper limb muscle strength by performing a dynamometry. The participant will squizz the grip until they reach their maximum strength for 2 seconds, the test will be performed twice.