Effects of an adapted physical activity program in elderly haemodialysis patients

Abstract

Introduction: Elderly patients are a group continuously growing in haemodialysis programs. They are characterized by their high complexity, dependency and associated comorbidity. Multiple benefits of physical activities in haemodialysis patients have been described; although they have not been fully evaluated in the elderly haemodialysis population. Objectives: To analyse the effect of an intradialytic adapted physical activity program on muscle strength, functional capacity, depressive symptoms and quality of life in our elderly patients (> 75 years) on haemodialysis. Methods: A prospective study of 12 weeks. 11 patients were included (36.4% male). Mean age of 83.9 years and haemodialysis vintage of 37.2 months. Mean Charlson index of 9.7. Main aetiologies: Diabetes Mellitus (45.5%), Not drafted (27.3%), hypertension (9.1%). Included patients performed a tailored physical exercise program using medicine balls, weights, elastic bands and ergometer in the first two hours of dialysis. We analyse: 1.-Biochemical parameters. 2.-Muscular Data: Maximum quadriceps extension strength and maximum handgrip strength. 3.-Functional tests: “Sit to stand to sit" and “six-minutes walking test”. 4.-Depressive symptomatology: Beck Depression Inventory. 5.-Quality of Life: EuroQol-5D. Results: Overall, an improvement was observed in tests (*p<0.05): Maximum quadriceps extension strength (10.5 ± 7.6 vs. 12.9 ±10 kg), hand-grip* (16.6 ± 8.7 vs. 18.2 ± 8.9 kg) Sit to stand to sit 10* (29.9 ± 10.6 vs. 25 ± 7.8 sec), Six-minute walking test* (22.6%, 234.4 vs. 286.8 m), Beck Depression Inventory* (14.4 ± 11.5 vs. 11.7 ± 10.8) and EuroQol-5D (49.1 ± 19.1 vs. 59.5 ± 20.3, p = 0.064) at study end. Similarly, we observed no significant changes in biochemical and anthropometric data during the study. Conclusions: 1. Intradialytic adapted physical activity program improved muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life in elderly haemodialysis patients. 2. Our results highlight the benefits of exercise in elderly haemodialysis patients. 3. It is worth considering conducting intradialytic adapted physical exercises as just another part of comprehensive care in haemodialysis.