Higher Physical Activity Is Associated With Less Fatigue and Insomnia Among Patients on Hemodialysis

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of an Exercise Rehabilitation Program on Symptom Burden in Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Clinical Research Protocol

Background

People receiving hemodialysis experience high symptom burden that contributes to low functional status and poor health-related quality of life. Management of symptoms is a priority for individuals receiving hemodialysis but limited effective treatments exist. There is emerging evidence that exercise programming can improve several common dialysis-related symptoms.

Objective

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an exercise rehabilitation program on symptom burden in individuals receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

Design

Multicenter, randomized controlled, 1:1 parallel, open label, prospective blinded end point trial.

Setting

Three facility-based hemodialysis units in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Participants

Adults aged 18 years or older with end-stage kidney disease receiving facility-based maintenance hemodialysis for more than 3 months, with at least 1 dialysis-related symptom as indicated by the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI) severity score >0 (n = 150).

Intervention

Supervised 26-week exercise rehabilitation program and 60 minutes of cycling during hemodialysis thrice weekly. Exercise intensity and duration were supervised and individualized by the kinesiologist as per participant baseline physical function with gradual progression over the course of the intervention.

Control

Usual hemodialysis care (no exercise program).

Measurements

Our primary outcome is change in symptom burden at 12 weeks as measured by the DSI severity score. Secondary outcomes include change in modified DSI severity score (includes 10 symptoms most plausible to improve with exercise), change in DSI severity score at 26 and 52 weeks; time to recover post-hemodialysis; health-related quality of life measured using EuroQol (EQ)-5D-5L; physical activity behavior measured by self-report (Godin-Shepherd questionnaire) and triaxial accelerometry; exercise capacity (shuttle walk test); frailty (Fried); self-efficacy for exercise; and 1-year hospitalization and mortality.

Methods

Change in primary outcome will be compared between groups by independent 2-tailed t test or Mann-Whitney U test depending on data distribution and using generalized linear mixed models, with study time point as a random effect and adjusted for baseline DSI score. Similarly, change in secondary outcomes will be compared between groups over time using appropriate parametric and nonparametric statistical tests depending on data type and distribution.

Limitations

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on clinical research at our institution delayed completion of target recruitment and prevented collection of accelerometry and physical function outcome data for 15 months until restrictions were lifted.

Conclusions

The application of an exercise rehabilitation program to improve symptom burden in individuals on hemodialysis may ameliorate common symptoms observed in individuals on hemodialysis and result in improved quality of life and reduced disability and morbidity over the long term. Importantly, this pragmatic study, with a standardized exercise intervention that is adaptable to baseline physical function, addresses an important gap in both clinical care of hemodialysis patients and our current knowledge.

The effect of foot reflexology on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis study

OBJECTIVE

this meta-analysis study analyzed the effect of foot reflexology on fatigue in hemodialysis patients by combining the results of independent studies on this subject.

METHOD

meta-analysis study. A literature search was conducted in seven databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using tools proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v3 was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. The result of the meta-analysis standardized mean difference = 1.580 (95% Confidence Interval = 1.075 - 2.085 p = 0.000). The result of the subgroup analysis performed based on the number of foot reflexology sessions standardized mean difference = 1,478 (95% Confidence Interval = 1,210 - 1,747, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

it was concluded that foot reflexology can be used to reduce fatigue in hemodialysis patients. No information was provided in the investigated studies about the possible side effects and negative effects of foot reflexology. (1) This study found that foot reflexology reduced fatigue levels. (2) The 10-session foot reflexology was the most effective. (3) This study will guide nurses and health workers. (4) Reflexology is one of the non-pharmacological methods used to relieve fatigue.

Association between Physical Frailty and Sleep Disturbances among Patients on Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Among patients on hemodialysis (HD), physical frailty and sleep disturbances are not only common but also associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between physical frailty and sleep disturbances in patients on HD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2017 to March 2021, with outpatients receiving HD 3 times a week at two dialysis facilities in Japan. Sleep disturbances were identified with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Physical frailty was defined using the Fried Frailty Phenotype. Patients were classified as "non-frailty (number of frailty components: 0-2)" or "frailty (3-5)." We examined the association of sleep disturbances with physical frailty and its components by performing a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

We analyzed 360 patients (mean age 65.6 years; 62% men). Eighty-one patients (23%) were classified into the group with frailty, and the mean AIS score was 5.2 ± 4.2 points. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, increasing the AIS score per 1 point was associated with higher odds of physical frailty (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.20; p < 0.01). As for the frailty components, exhaustion, low physical activity, and weak grip strength showed an association with sleep disturbances (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep disturbances were independently associated with physical frailty in patients on HD. Future studies are warranted to investigate the causality between physical frailty and sleep disturbances in this population.

Prevalence of post-dialysis fatigue: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to synthesise data on the prevalence of post-dialysis fatigue (PDF) among haemodialysis (HD) patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese Biological Medical Database, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched from their inception to 1 April 2022.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We selected patients who must receive HD treatment for at least 3 months. Cross-sectional or cohort studies published in Chinese or English were eligible for inclusion. The main search terms used in the abstract were: "renal dialysis", "hemodialysis" and "post-dialysis", in combination with the word "fatigue".

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two investigators independently performed data extraction and quality assessment. Data were pooled to estimate the overall prevalence of PDF among HD patients using the random-effects model. Cochran's Q and I² statistics were adopted to evaluate heterogeneity.

RESULT

A total of 12 studies were included, with 2152 HD patients, of which 1215 were defined as having PDF. The overall prevalence of PDF in HD patients was 61.0% (95% CI: 53.6% to 68.3%, p<0.001, I²=90.0%). Subgroup analysis failed to explain the source of heterogeneity, but univariable meta-regression showed that a mean age of ≥50 years might be the source of heterogeneity. Egger's test revealed no publication bias among the studies (p=0.144).

CONCLUSIONS

PDF is highly prevalent among HD patients.

The Lived Self-Care Experiences of Patients Undergoing Long-Term Haemodialysis: A Phenomenological Study

The study aims to understand the lived self-care experiences of patients who have undergone long-term haemodialysis. The study adopts a qualitative phenomenological design. Data were collected for six months, from 1 July to 31 December 2020. Out of 90 outpatients in a haemodialysis clinic at a university hospital in Seoul, Korea, 11 patients who had received haemodialysis for more than 10 years were purposefully selected, and 9 of them took part in in-depth interviews. The main research question was, 'What was the experience of surviving long-term haemodialysis?' The study revealed four main themes surrounding the topic of self-care: (A) the desire to keep living despite challenges, (B) creating one's own dietary principles, (C) moving one's body with the remaining strength, and (D) moving toward independence. In the long-term self-care of haemodialysis patients, they shared personal observations on their disease and treatment process and their struggles to try to manage their own physical and emotional self-care. By exploring the experience of long-term haemodialysis, it is possible to gain a deeper understanding of their perceptions, emotions, and motivations. With this information, healthcare professionals can develop interventions and support strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of haemodialysis patients.

Glittre activities of daily living test is reliable and valid in hemodialysis patients

PURPOSE

To examine the validity, and the relative and absolute within-day reliability of the TGlittre in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty HD patients (52 ± 12 years) undertook the TGlittre twice on a single day, in a cross-sectional design. For validation purposes, participants TGlittre performance and accelerometry-based physical activity were correlated. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were determined to assess within-day reliability.

RESULTS

There was a moderate correlation between TGlittre performance and moderate to vigorous physical activity (r= -0.587; p= 0.001). The relative reliability of the test showed an ICC of 0.96. For the absolute reliability, the SEM was 13.05 s (0.22 min), and the MDC was 36.17 s (0.60 min).

CONCLUSIONS

TGlittre performance is associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity in HD patients, highlighting that those with higher levels of physical activity are likely to perform better on the TGlittre. Additionally, TGlittre shows a good to excellent intra-rater reliability and a low SEM. An MDC value was established.Implications for rehabilitationPatients on hemodialysis have a low physical capacity and often struggle to simply complete their physical activities of daily living.The TGlittre is a tool for assessing functional capacity through completion of multiple physical activities of daily living and can be easily applied in a clinical setting.TGlittre is a valid test that elicit reliable physiological, hemodynamic, and physical performance responses in HD patients.

Physical activity is a potential measure of physical resilience in older adults receiving hemodialysis

Background

Physical resilience, or the ability to recover after a physical stressor, declines with aging. Efforts to preserve physical resilience in the older dialysis population are critically needed; however, validated, patient-centered measures that are sensitive to change are also needed. Our objective was to assess accelerometer-derived step count variability, or a measure of intra-individual variation in physical activity, as a potential measure of physical resilience among older adults receiving hemodialysis.

Methods

Community-dwelling ambulatory older adults receiving in-center hemodialysis were prospectively enrolled. Participants wore wrist accelerometers during daytime hours on both dialysis and non-dialysis days up to 14 days, and the feasibility of accelerometer use was assessed from wear time. We used accelerometer data to compute step counts in 4-hour blocks and step count variability. Physical function was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB which includes gait speed test), grip strength, activities of daily living (ADLs) instruments, and life space mobility. We assessed interval fatigue (subjective rating from 0 to 10) on dialysis and non-dialysis days and self-reported recovery time. We assessed the correlations of step count variability with measures of physical function and step count and interval fatigue.

Results

Of 37 enrolled participants, 29 had sufficient accelerometer data for analyses. Among the 29 participants, mean (SD) age was 70.6(4.8) years, and 55% (n=16) were male and 72% (n=21) were Black race. Participants were largely sedentary with median (Q1-Q3) self-reported total kilocalories per week of 200 (36-552). Step count variability was positively correlated with measures of physical function: SPPB (r=0.50, p<0.05), gait speed (r=0.59, p<0.05), handgrip strength (r=0.71, p<0.05), Instrumental ADLs (r=0.44, p<0.05) and life space mobility (r=0.54, p<0.05).There was a weak inverse correlation between post-dialysis step counts (4-hour blocks after a dialysis session) and post-dialysis interval fatigue [r=-0.19 (n=102, p=0.06).

Conclusions

Physical activity assessment via accelerometer is feasible for older adults receiving hemodialysis. Step count variability correlated with physical function, so it may be a novel measure of physical resilience. Further studies are needed to validate this measure.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 associates with physical inactivity in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors

The aim of this study was to determine whether Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) are associated with physical inactivity in COVID-19 survivors. This is a cohort study of COVID-19 survivors discharged from a tertiary hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Patients admitted as inpatients due to laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between March and August 2020 were consecutively invited for a follow-up in-person visit 6 to 11 months after hospitalization. Ten symptoms of PASC were assessed using standardized scales. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire and participants were classified according to WHO Guidelines. 614 patients were analyzed (age: 56 ± 13 years; 53% male). Frequency of physical inactivity in patients exhibiting none, at least 1, 1-4, and 5 or more symptoms of PASC was 51%, 62%, 58%, and 71%, respectively. Adjusted models showed that patients with one or more persistent PASC symptoms have greater odds of being physically inactive than those without any persistent symptoms (OR: 1.57 [95% CI 1.04-2.39], P = 0.032). Dyspnea (OR: 2.22 [1.50-3.33], P < 0.001), fatigue (OR: 2.01 [1.40-2.90], P < 0.001), insomnia (OR: 1.69 [1.16-2.49], P = 0.007), post-traumatic stress (OR: 1.53 [1.05-2.23], P = 0.028), and severe muscle/joint pain (OR: 1.53 [95% CI 1.08-2.17], P = 0.011) were associated with greater odds of being physically inactive. This study suggests that PASC is associated with physical inactivity, which itself may be considered as a persistent symptom among COVID-19 survivors. This may help in the early identification of patients who could benefit from additional interventions tailored to combat inactivity (even after treatment of PASC), with potential beneficial impacts on overall morbidity/mortality and health systems worldwide.

Association Between Exercise Self-Efficacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Dialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Exercise self-efficacy is a vital determinant of an individual’s active participation in regular exercise, and exercise is a critical component of improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in dialysis patients. This study aimed to describe the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and HRQOL in dialysis patients.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, China. Structured questionnaires distributed to the patients collected socio-demographic and disease-related information. Physical activity was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire, and the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESES) was used to measure exercise self-efficacy. HRQOL was evaluated by the kidney disease quality of life instrument-short form version 1.3 (KDQOL-SF™ v1.3). Data were analyzed using a univariate generalized linear model, Spearman correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression.

Results

A positive association was observed between exercise self-efficacy and HRQOL (r = 0.310, p &lt; 0.001). Physical activity as a predictor variable explained 9.8% of the variance in overall HRQOL (p &lt; 0.001). Exercise self-efficacy explained an additional 7.1% of the HRQOL variance. In total, 24.6% of the variation in the HRQOL was explained by the socio-demographic variables, disease-related factors, physical activity, and exercise self-efficacy.

Conclusion

Overall, only 16.9% of the change in HRQOL was explained by physical activity and exercise self-efficacy. Future research is still needed to further explore the factors influencing the HRQOL in dialysis patients. However, this finding suggests the need to consider the importance of HRQOL and physical activity as well as exercise self-efficacy when developing intervention programs.

Auricular Acupressure for Hemodialysis Patients with Insomnia: A Multicenter Double-Blind Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

Background and objectives: The effect of auricular acupressure (AA) for maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with insomnia has been controversial. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of AA for MHD patients with chronic insomnia. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: This was a multicenter, double-blind (participant and assessor), randomized sham-controlled trial. A total of 133 subjects were randomized to receive AA on active points (AA group, n = 64) or on sham auricular acupressure (SAA) points (SAA group, n = 69) for 8 weeks and followed up for 12 weeks. AA was provided by assigned qualified nurses who were not involved in assessment. The primary outcome was the clinical response rate, which was defined as the percentage of participants who reached a reduction of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score ≥3 in each group. Secondary outcomes included changes in PSQI scores over time, PSQI scores and hypnotics use at each visit, and changes in the weekly dose of hypnotics for drug-dependent subjects. Results: At week 8, the AA group yielded a higher clinical response rate than the SAA group (AA: 55% vs. SAA: 36%, odds ratio: 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.2, p = 0.033). Both groups showed a reduction in PSQI global scores during treatment and follow-up, compared with the baseline, respectively. A significant change of PSQI global score was observed over time (F = 28.387, p < 0.001). PSQI global score of the AA group was relatively lower than that of the SAA group at each visit (p < 0.05 at week 16 and 20). For those depending on hypnotics, AA reduced their consumption of hypnotics. The intervention was safe, and its adherence was satisfactory. Conclusion: AA could serve as a complementary or alternative therapy for MHD patients with insomnia by improving their sleep quality and reducing their use of hypnotics. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03015766.

Daily Step Counts in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background

Physical inactivity is an essential factor in the prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Daily step count is a straightforward measure to assess physical activity levels. Understanding the step counts among different CKD stages is essential to change sedentary behavior.

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the daily step counts in patients with CKD at a different stage.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources

The literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to November 3rd, 2021.

Review Methods

Observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies) reported specific values of step counts in CKD patients by the wearable device were included. A random-effects model was used to pool the data. Subgroup analysis explored differences in outcomes by stage of CKD. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the χ2 test of Cochrane's Q statistic. A contour-enhanced funnel plot was conducted to investigate publication bias. Univariate and multivariate meta-regression was conducted to examine possible sources of heterogeneity.

Results

Twenty-eight articles were identified and used for quantitative analysis. The result showed that the daily step count in patients with CKD was 4642.47 (95% CI: 4274.18–5010.76), and significantly lower than the healthy population. Subgroup analysis revealed that the step counts decreased before dialysis, dropped to a freezing point at the hemodialysis phase, and increased after kidney transplantation. Meta-regression analysis showed that daily step counts were relatively higher in the Americas or younger than 60 or kidney transplant recipients.

Conclusion

The status of daily step counts in patients with CKD decreases with CKD severity and increases after kidney transplantation. Although studies have begun to focus on strategies to improve step counts in patients with CKD, future studies should focus more on step counts in pre-dialysis patients and changing their physically inactive lifestyle early to alleviate deteriorating renal function.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=291551, identifier: CRD42021291551.

Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients on Hemodialysis with Comorbidities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Patients on hemodialysis with multiple comorbidities have limited physical activity, resulting in poor health, low activity participation, and low quality of life. Accordingly, the nursing care provided to such patients should include regular physical activity training programs. Therefore, this cross-sectional descriptive study investigated whether patients on hemodialysis with and without comorbidities have different levels of physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); the correlations among the comorbidities, physical activity, and HRQoL of the two cohorts were also assessed. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were employed to collect data from 120 patients on hemodialysis. An independent samples t-test and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted. The overall HRQoL of patients with comorbidities was lower than that of patients without comorbidities (p = 0.008). Compared with patients who participated in low-intensity physical activity, the overall HRQoL of patients who participated in moderate-intensity physical activity was higher (p < 0.001). The overall HRQoL of patients with comorbidities who participated in low-intensity physical activity was lower than that of those who participated in moderate-intensity physical activity (p < 0.001). Moderate-intensity physical activity was correlated with higher HRQoL for patients with comorbidities. This finding supports the implementation of effective physical activity intervention measures. Furthermore, it supports the promotion of patient self-management and the implementation of regular exercise programs and lifestyle changes, and patients on hemodialysis can benefit from the future management of physical activities.

Effect of hemodiafiltration on measured physical activity: primary results of the HDFIT randomized controlled trial

Background

Dialysis patients are typically inactive and their physical activity (PA) decreases over time. Uremic toxicity has been suggested as a potential causal factor of low PA in dialysis patients. Post-dilution high-volume online hemodiafiltration (HDF) provides greater higher molecular weight removal and studies suggest better clinical/patient-reported outcomes compared with hemodialysis (HD).

Methods

HDFIT was a randomized controlled trial at 13 clinics in Brazil that aimed to investigate the effects of HDF on measured PA (step counts) as a primary outcome. Stable HD patients (vintage 3–24 months) were randomized to receive HDF or high-flux HD. Treatment effect of HDF on the primary outcome from baseline to 3 and 6 months was estimated using a linear mixed-effects model.

Results

We randomized 195 patients (HDF 97; HD 98) between August 2016 and October 2017. Despite the achievement of a high convective volume in the majority of sessions and a positive impact on solute removal, the treatment effect HDF on the primary outcome was +538 [95% confidence interval (CI) −330 to 1407] steps/24 h after dialysis compared with HD, and was not statistically significant. Despite a lack of statistical significance, the observed size of the treatment effect was modest and driven by steps taken between 1.5 and 24.0 h after dialysis, in particular between 20 and 24 h (+197 steps; 95% CI −95 to 488).

Conclusions

HDF did not have a statistically significant treatment effect on PA 24 h following dialysis, albeit effect sizes may be clinically meaningful and deserve further investigation.

The Evolutionarily Mismatched Impact of Urbanization on Insomnia Symptoms: a Short Review of the Recent Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

For the most part of human existence, individuals have been living a rural lifestyle in a rural setting. However, such sleep-conducive conditions have largely been transformed dramatically by urbanization within a relatively short span of time in recent history, and the resulting evolved mechanisms-environment mismatch is theorized to bring about an increased risk for insomnia symptoms. This brief review of the recent literature is designed to evaluate the veracity of this proposition.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of recent findings have suggested that most proposed evolutionarily mismatched urban factors are indeed related to the presence of insomnia symptoms. However, there is a general paucity of longitudinal evidence (and for some other factors, a lack of enough evidence of any kind). Although there is a preponderance of recent findings indicating a link between evolutionarily mismatched urban phenomena and insomnia symptoms, more longitudinal data are needed before any causative conclusion can be drawn.

Effect of Statewide Lockdown in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Levels of Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

On March 22, 2020, a statewide stay-at-home order for nonessential tasks was implemented in New York State. We aimed to determine the impact of the lockdown on physical activity levels (PAL) in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

Starting in May 2018, we are conducting an observational study with a 1-year follow-up on PAL in patients from 4 hemodialysis clinics in New York City. Patients active in the study as of March 22, 2020, were included. PAL was defined by steps taken per day measured by a wrist-based monitoring device (Fitbit Charge 2). Average steps/day were calculated for January 1 to February 13, 2020, and then weekly from February 14 to June 30.

RESULTS

42 patients were included. Their mean age was 55 years, 79% were males, and 69% were African Americans. Between January 1 and February 13, 2020, patients took on average 5,963 (95% CI 4,909-7,017) steps/day. In the week prior to the mandated lockdown, when a national emergency was declared, and in the week of the shutdown, the average number of daily steps had decreased by 868 steps/day (95% CI 213-1,722) and 1,222 steps/day (95% CI 668-2300), respectively. Six patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period. Five of them exhibited significantly higher PAL in the 2 weeks prior to showing COVID-19 symptoms compared to COVID-19 negative patients.

CONCLUSION

Lockdown measures were associated with a significant decrease in PAL in hemodialysis patients. Patients who contracted COVID-19 had higher PAL during the incubation period. Methods to increase PAL while allowing for social distancing should be explored and implemented.

Hemodialysis patients perceived exercise benefits and barriers: the association with health-related quality of life

BACKGROUND

Patients on hemodialysis have less exercise capacity and lower health-related quality of life than healthy individuals without chronic kidney disease (CKD). One of the factors that may influence exercise behavior among these patients is their perception of exercise benefits and barriers. The present study aimed to assess the perception of hemodialysis patients about exercise benefits and barriers and its association with patients' health-related quality of life.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 227 patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomly selected from two dialysis centers. Data collection was carried out using dialysis patient-perceived exercise benefits and barriers scale (DPEBBS) and kidney disease quality of life short form (KDQOL-SF). Data were analyzed using SPSS software ver. 21.

RESULTS

The mean score of DPEBBS was 68.2 ± 7.4 (range: 24 to 96) and the mean KDQOL score was 48.9 ± 23.3 (range: 0 to 100). Data analysis by Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive and significant relationship between the mean scores of DPEBBS and the total score of KDQOL (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a positive relationship between the mean scores of DPEBBS and the mean score of all domains of KDQOL.

CONCLUSION

Although most of the patients undergoing hemodialysis had a positive perception of the exercise, the majority of them do not engage in exercise; it could be contributed to the barriers of exercise such as tiredness, muscle fatigue, and fear of arteriovenous fistula injury. Providing exercise facilities, encouraging the patients by the health care provider to engage in exercise programs, and incorporation of exercise professionals into hemodialysis centers could help the patients to engage in regular exercise.

The Prevalence and Severity of Chronic Pain in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:

Chronic pain is a common and distressing symptom reported by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Clinical practice and research in this area do not appear to be advancing sufficiently to address the issue of chronic pain management in patients with CKD.

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence and severity of chronic pain in patients with CKD.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting:

Interventional and observational studies presenting data from 2000 or later. Exclusion criteria included acute kidney injury or studies that limited the study population to a specific cause, symptom, and/or comorbidity.

Patients:

Adults with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) category 3 to 5 CKD including dialysis patients and those managed conservatively without dialysis.

Measurements:

Data extracted included title, first author, design, country, year of data collection, publication year, mean age, stage of CKD, prevalence of pain, and severity of pain.

Methods:

Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, last searched on February 3, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened all titles and abstracts, assessed potentially relevant articles, and extracted data. We estimated pooled prevalence of overall chronic pain, musculoskeletal pain, bone/joint pain, muscle pain/soreness, and neuropathic pain and the I² statistic was computed to measure heterogeneity. Random effects models were used to account for variations in study design and sample populations and a double arcsine transformation was used in the model calculations to account for potential overweighting of studies reporting either very high or very low prevalence measurements. Pain severity scores were calibrated to a score out of 10, to compare across studies. Weighted mean severity scores and 95% confidence intervals were reported.

Results:

Sixty-eight studies representing 16 558 patients from 26 countries were included. The mean prevalence of chronic pain in hemodialysis patients was 60.5%, and the mean prevalence of moderate or severe pain was 43.6%. Although limited, pain prevalence data for peritoneal dialysis patients (35.9%), those managed conservatively without dialysis (59.8%), those following withdrawal of dialysis (39.2%), and patients with earlier GFR category of CKD (61.2%) suggest similarly high prevalence rates.

Limitations:

Studies lacked a consistent approach to defining the chronicity and nature of pain. There was also variability in the measures used to determine pain severity, limiting the ability to compare findings across populations. Furthermore, most studies reported mean severity scores for the entire cohort, rather than reporting the prevalence (numerator and denominator) for each of the pain severity categories (mild, moderate, and severe). Mean severity scores for a population do not allow for “responder analyses” nor allow for an understanding of clinically relevant pain.

Conclusions:

Chronic pain is common and often severe across diverse CKD populations providing a strong imperative to establish chronic pain management as a clinical and research priority. Future research needs to move toward a better understanding of the determinants of chronic pain and to evaluating the effectiveness of pain management strategies with particular attention to the patient outcomes such as overall symptom burden, physical function, and quality of life. The current variability in the outcome measures used to assess pain limits the ability to pool data or make comparisons among studies, which will hinder future evaluations of the efficacy and effectiveness of treatments. Recommendations for measuring and reporting pain in future CKD studies are provided.

Trial registration:

PROSPERO Registration number CRD42020166965

Intradialytic exercise in end-stage renal disease: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and/or meta-analytical studies

OBJECTIVES

This umbrella review aimed to understand the clinical benefits and adverse events associated with different modalities of intradialytic exercise in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis.

DATA SOURCES

The search was performed until September 10th, 2020 on Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database, CINAHL, and PubMed.

METHODS

This umbrella review was conducted following the PRISMA guideline statement. The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed with the AMSTAR-2. Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The I-squared statistic was used to assess heterogeneity and the Eggers' test was performed to test asymmetry/small-study effects.

RESULTS

Eleven reviews were included and 48 unique meta-analyses were examined. Nine were supported by suggestive evidence (P < 0.05, small heterogeneity, absence of small-study effects, and excess significance bias). Clinical benefits were found for functional capacity associated with aerobic exercise (d = 0.81; k = 6), resistance training (d = 0.58; k = 6), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (d = 0.70; k = 5), and inspiratory muscle training (d = 1.13; k = 2), measured by the distance covered in the 6-minutes walking test. This outcome was also associated with aerobic exercise (d = 0.28; k = 7) and combined exercise, measured by VO2peak (d = 1.01; k = 5) and by the duration of the cardiopulmonary test (d = 1.07; k = 4). Isometric quadriceps muscle strength improved with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (d = 1.19; k = 7) while patients' perception of vitality improved with combined exercise (d = 0.60; k = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Suggestive evidence was found for the associations between various modalities of intradialytic exercise and functional capacity. Combined exercise was associated with improvements in physical and psychosocial variables. Few or no adverse events were reported.

Daily physical activity in patients on chronic haemodialysis and its relation with fatigue and depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Fatigue and depressed mood are considered main impediments to physical activity in haemodialysis (HD) patients. A better understanding of their interrelationships is crucial to develop effective therapies. Moreover, measurement of daily physical activity (DPA) in HD patients is tricky, as it is usually assessed by subjective self-report questionnaires. Therefore, we aimed to objectively measure sponteanous DPA with motion sensors and to explore its relation with fatigue and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

DPA was assessed for seven consecutive days in 37 HD patients based on their daily step count measured with the SenseWear™ Armband. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were administered to evaluate fatigue and depressed mood.

RESULTS

Median DPA was 2424 steps/day, (IQR:892-4545). In 81% of subjects, DPA felt within a sedentary lifestyle classification, as they made < 5.000 steps/day. DPA did not correlate with fatigue (r_s = 0.04, p = 0.832), and did not significantly differ between patients categorized as clinically fatigued (n = 23, FSS ≥ 4) or not (n = 14, FSS < 4) (p = 0.654, d = 0.20). Although low-depressed subjects (n = 19, BDI-II ≤ 13) made on average 1.7 times more steps/day than high-depressed subjects (n = 18, BDI-II > 13) (p = 0.111, d = 0.60), depressive mood did also not correlate significantly with DPA (r_s = - 0.23, p = 0.175).

CONCLUSION

Objective assessment of DPA with motion sensors is feasible in HD patients and allows identifying a sedentary lifestyle. Our results suggest that spontanous DPA is determined by age rather than by fatigue or mood.

Patient perception of vitality and measured physical activity in patients receiving haemodialysis

AIM

Fatigue in haemodialysis (HD) patients can be captured in quality of life questionnaires and by the dialysis recovery time (DRT) question. The associations between fatigue and measured physical activity has not been explored until the present. We tested our hypothesis that the patient perception of chronic and post dialysis fatigue would be associated with lower physical activity.

METHODS

This study was a cross sectional evaluation of baseline data from HD patients recruited in the HDFIT trial. Vitality scores from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) and the dialysis recovery time (DRT) question were used as indicators of chronic and post dialysis fatigue, respectively. Granular physical activity was measured by accelerometers as part of the study protocol.

RESULTS

Among 176 patients, Vitality score was 63 ± 21 and the DRT was ≤30 minutes in 57% of patients. The mean number of steps was 5288 ± 3540 in 24 hours after HD and 953 ± 617 in the 2-hour post-HD period. The multivariable analysis confirmed Vitality scores were associated with physical activity in the 24-hour post-HD period. In contrast, DRT was not associated with physical activity captured by the accelerometer in the period immediately (2 hours) after the HD session.

CONCLUSION

Chronic fatigue was negatively associated with step counts, while patient perception of post-dialysis fatigue was not associated with physical activity. These patterns indicate limitations in interpretation of DRT. Since physical activity is an important component of a healthy life, our results may partially explain the associations between fatigue and poor outcomes in HD patients.

Physical activity and somatic symptoms among hemodialysis patients: a multi-center study in Zhejiang, China

BACKGROUND

Somatic symptoms are commonly reported by patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Based on evidence that exercise can improve psychological state among the general population, we aimed to evaluate the effects of physical activity on somatic symptoms specifically in this clinical population.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study that included patients receiving hemodialysis treatment ≥3 times per week for > 3 months, aged 18 years or older, and who were willing to complete our study questionnaires and wear a pedometer; they were recruited from four hemodialysis centers in Zhejiang, China. Physical activity was quantified using pedometer data, with somatic symptoms quantified using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Hemodialysis information and blood laboratory tests were obtained from patients' medical record. The score on the somatic dimension of the SCL-90 (S1-score) subdivided into tertiles for analysis: ≤1.17 (Q1), 1.17-1.58 (Q2) and ≥ 1.58 (Q3). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the crude and adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the S1- somatic score according to the physical activity level during the last week. For this analysis, patients were stratified in a high and low exercise group using a cutoff of 3000 MET-min/week. Model 1 was adjusted for skinfold thickness of the triceps, upper arm circumference, grip strength, 5-m walking time, and 30-s sit-to-stand test. In model 2, we further adjusted for the leukocyte count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, and albumin level.

RESULTS

After screening, 320 patients were enrolled into the study group (37.50% male, average age of 58.60 ± 14.2 years and mean average number of steps per day of 3725.92 ± 2663.47). The S1-score (1.51 ± 0.39) was significantly higher for patients than for the normal reference population (P < 0.001). As the S1-score increased, the average number of steps per day decreased, both on dialysis and non-dialysis days. Total physical activity, measured by pedometry, showed the best correlation to S1 scores (r = - 0.813; P < 0.01). The OR of a high S1-score was 1.97 [95% CI, 0.63-4.08] for patients in the low physical activity group.

CONCLUSION

Higher S1 (somatic symptom) score was related to low physical activity among patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

A Walking Intervention to Increase Weekly Steps in Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Patients receiving dialysis report very low physical activity. We implemented a pilot trial to assess the feasibility of a pedometer-based intervention to gather preliminary evidence about its impact on physical activity, symptoms, and surrogates of cardiovascular risk.

STUDY DESIGN

Pilot randomized controlled trial.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

60 dialysis patients from San Francisco dialysis clinics.

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receiving pedometers with weekly step goals or usual care for 3 months.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was step counts, measured using pedometers. Secondary outcomes included physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery, the Physical Function and Vitality scales of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Dialysis Symptoms Index, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, with endothelial function as a secondary and heart rate variability as an exploratory surrogate measure of cardiovascular risk. Targeted enrollment was 50% and targeted completion was 85%.

RESULTS

49% of approached patients were enrolled, and 92% completed the study. After 3 months, patients randomly assigned to the intervention (n=30) increased their average daily steps by 2,256 (95% CI, 978-3,537) more than the 30 controls (P<0.001). Heart rate variability (standard deviation of N-N intervals) increased by 14.94 (95% CI, 0.31-33.56) millisecondsin the intervention group as compared with controls (P = 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences across intervention groups in symptoms, physical performance, or endothelial function. Participants in the intervention group reverted to baseline steps during the postintervention follow-up.

LIMITATIONS

The Northern California study setting may limit generalizability. Walking does not capture the full spectrum of physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

A short-term pedometer-based intervention led to increased step counts in dialysis patients, but the increase was not sustained. Pedometer-based interventions are feasible for dialysis patients, but future studies are needed to address whether more prolonged interventions can improve physical function or symptoms.

FUNDING

Supported by grants from the American Kidney Fund, National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and International Society of Nephrology.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study identifier NCT02623348.