Effects of Exercise on Physiologic and Psychologic Outcomes in Patients with End Stage Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

End stage kidney disease (ESKD), a public health concern, has overwhelming effects on individuals' holistic wellbeing. Hemodialysis, albeit a life-saving treatment for patients with ESKD, can lead to muscle atrophy, weakness, and decreased quality of life mostly due to an inactive lifestyle. This quasi-experimental, pre-post design was used to study the effects of exercise on physiologic and psychologic outcomes of patients with ESKD at a hemodialysis unit in Lebanon. Patients acted as their own controls and were assessed before and after introducing the exercise program. Data were collected on quality of life of patients as well as their dialysis adequacy. Results showed that while there was a significant improvement in the dialysis adequacy post-exercise intervention, quality of life was not affected. Copyright© by the American Nephrology Nurses Association.