Evaluating the effectiveness of exercise training on elderly patients who require haemodialysis: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Exercise interventions for improving objective physical function in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis have increased mortality and reduced physical activity, contributing to impaired physical function. Although exercise programs have demonstrated a positive effect on physiological outcomes such as cardiovascular function and strength, there is a reduced focus on physical function. The aim of this review was to determine whether exercise programs improve objective measures of physical function indicative of activities of daily living for patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature identified 27 randomized control trials. Only randomized control trials using an exercise intervention or significant muscular activation in the intervention, a usual care, nonexercising control group, and at least one objective measure of physical function were included. Participants were ≥18 yr of age, with end-stage kidney disease, undergoing hemo- or peritoneal dialysis. Systematic review of the literature and quality assessment of the included studies used the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk bias. A meta-analysis was completed for the 6-min walk test. Data from 27 studies with 1,156 participants showed that exercise, regardless of modality, generally increased 6-min walk test distance, sit-to-stand time or repetitions, and grip strength as well as step and stair climb times or repetitions, dynamic mobility, and short physical performance battery scores. From the evidence available, exercise, regardless of modality, improved objective measures of physical function for end-stage kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis. It is acknowledged that further well-designed randomized control trials are required.

Exercise Training in Elderly People Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction

Previous reviews have indicated the effectiveness of exercise in people undergoing hemodialysis. However, these analyses did not take into account whether the subjects were elderly. We performed a systematic review of the effects of exercise training in elderly people undergoing hemodialysis and updated the evidence of exercise for people undergoing hemodialysis by adding recent research data.

Methods

We searched 8 electronic databases up to June 2016. Inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized controlled trial, English publication, subjects aged 18 and older undergoing hemodialysis, evaluation of physical function as an outcome of exercise intervention. We defined elderly as age 60 years and older. The main outcomes were exercise tolerance (peak/maximum oxygen consumption) and walking ability (6-minute walk distance). Secondary outcomes were lower extremity muscle strength and quality of life.

Results

After screening of 10,923 references, 30 comparisons were entered into the analysis. However, because we found only 1 study in which elderly subjects were treated, we could not perform a meta-analysis for these people. For the general population undergoing hemodialysis, supervised exercise training was shown to significantly increase peak/maximum oxygen consumption (standard mean difference, 0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.38-0.87; P < 0.001), 6-minute walk distance (standard mean difference, 0.58; 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.93; P < 0.001), lower extremity muscle strength (standard mean difference, 0.94; 95% confidence interval 0.67-1.21; P < 0.001), and quality of life (standard mean difference, 0.53; 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.82; P < 0.001).

Discussion

Our analysis on the effectiveness of exercise training in elderly people undergoing hemodialysis as compared with nonelderly people was somewhat inconclusive. Future studies should be carried out for elderly people to identify the most favorable exercise program for this population.