Intradialytic aerobic training improves inflammatory markers in patients with chronic kidney disease: a randomized clinical trial

Effect of intra-dialytic physical exercise on depression in prevalent hemodialysis patients

Background

Depression is associated with morbidity, death, diminished quality of life, decreased longevity, and even suicidal ideation in hemodialysis patients. Intra-dialytic exercise is considered as integral component of the clinical care management of hemodialysis patients as it improves hemodialysis effectiveness, reducing systemic inflammation, increasing exercise tolerance, decreasing depression and improving quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of intra-dialytic physical exercise on depression and physical activity in prevalent hemodialysis patients. This prospective cohort research comprised 50 hemodialysis patients maintained on regular hemodialysis 3 times/week with duration since starting dialysis (1–5 years), not practicing any previous physical activity, suffering from depressive symptoms, not maintained on antidepressants and separated into two groups: group I underwent intra-dialytic exercise for 3 months and group II was matched in age and gender but did not undertake any exercise.

Results

Hamilton depression rating scale was significantly decreased in group I after completing the exercise program compared to baseline (P = 0.000), while there was no significant change in group II. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha significantly decreased in group I compared to baseline (P = 0.000), while there was no significant change in group II. A positive correlation was found between serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and Hamilton depression rating scale (r = 0.676), (P = 0.000). Physical activity tests; 6-min walk test, rapid assessment of physical activity and peak volume of oxygen consumption were significantly improved in group I compared to baseline (P = 0.000), while there was no statistically significant difference in group II. Serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone levels were significantly decreased in group I compared to baseline (P < 0.01), while urea reduction ratio was significantly increased in group I compared to baseline (P = 0.000), but there was no significant change in group II.

Conclusions

Intra-dialysis exercise can improve depression and physical performance in hemodialysis patients. As positive correlation was found between serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and Hamilton depression rating scale, so tumor necrosis factor alpha may be considered as marker of depression in hemodialysis patients. Intra-dialytic exercise can improve dialysis efficacy by improving urea reduction ratio.

Effect of Exercise on Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review

Background: In recent years, physical exercise has been investigated for its potential as a therapeutic tool in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis maintenance treatment (HD). It has been shown that regular practice of moderate-intensity exercise can improve certain aspects of immune function and exert anti-inflammatory effects, having been associated with low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and high levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Purpose: The aim of this review is to examine the studies carried out in this population that analyzed the effect of intradialytic exercise on the inflammatory state and evaluate which exercise modality is most effective. Methods: The search was carried out in the MEDLINE, CINAHL Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception to June 2022. The PEDro scale was used to assess methodological quality, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and MINORS were used to evaluate the risk of bias. The quality of evidence was assessed with GRADE scale. The outcome measures were systemic inflammation biomarkers. Results: Mixed results were found in terms of improving inflammation biomarkers, such as CRP, IL-6 or TNFα, after exercise. Aerobic exercise seems to improve systemic inflammation when performed at medium intensity while resistance training produced better outcomes when performed at high intensity. However, some studies reported no differences after exercise and these results should be taken with caution. Conclusions: The low quality of the evidence suggests that aerobic and resistance exercise during HD treatment improves systemic inflammation biomarkers in patients with ESRD. In any case, interventions that increase physical activity in patients with ESRD are of vital importance as sedentary behaviors are associated with mortality. More studies are needed to affirm solid conclusions and to make intervention parameters, such as modality, dose, intensity or duration, sufficiently clear.

A Protocol of Intradialytic Exercise for Improvements in Inflammatory Status, Body Composition, and Functional Capacity

Skeletal muscle wasting has been well-documented among hemodialysis patients. This catabolic condition can be induced by numerous factors, including low-grade inflammation, and is associated with impairments in functional capacity and quality of life, as well as an increased mortality risk. We previously showed that 12 weeks of intradialytic resistance training increases lean mass, functional capacity, and the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. This chapter provides the details of a protocol of intradialytic exercise that leads to improvements in inflammatory status, body composition, and functional capacity.

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.