Physical training improves physical fitness and the quality of life of patients on hemodialysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of physical training (PT) on physical fitness and quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). For this purpose, 22 patients were randomly divided into a nonintervention group (control, n=11) and an intervention group (n=11). Patients in the intervention group were submitted to PT (consisting of aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching) during HD, three times/week, for 4 months. Physical fitness was evaluated by the six-minute walk test (T6), respiratory muscle strength (RMS) testing, chair-stand test (CST), and abdominal strength test. The SF-36 was used to evaluate QoL. In addition, a semistructured interview was applied to evaluate the patient’s perception of the benefits of PT. After PT, patients in the intervention group showed an increase in the distance walked in the T6 (p<0.004), RMS (inspiratory pressure: p<0.002; expiratory pressure: p<0.001), CST (p<0.001), and abdominal strength test (p<0.001). In addition, improvement of QoL was observed in the following domains: physical functioning (p<0.001), physical role functioning (p<0.003), pain (p<0.04), general health (p<0.02), and emotional well-being (p<0.01). The interviews permitted to divide the patient’s perception of the benefits of PT into three categories: physical, psychological, and social benefits. In conclusion, PT improved the physical fit-ness and QoL of patients on HD as demonstrated by the assessment of the researchers and by the perception of the patients themselves.