Effect of Exercise and Protein Supplementation on Muscle Function in Patients With Hemodialysis

Overview

Sarcopenia can be easily observed in patients with hemodialysis. However, there were few studies on the precise concept and diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia in patients with hemodialysis. The investigators have already recognized the sarcopenia-associated mortality and morbidity in patients with hemodialysis. However, intervention studies on hemodialysis patients with sarcopenia have not been conducted until now. Here, The investigators aim a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined exercise and nutrition intervention for sarcopenia in patients with hemodialysis. This is a prospective study with 60 patients with hemodialysis who were diagnosed as sarcopenia or frailty in our previous cohort study. Combined intervention will consist of resistance exercise and nutritional supplementation for 12 weeks. The primary outcome of this study is muscle mass and handgrip strength after 12 weeks' intervention. All functional outcomes will be measured at 0, 12, and 24 weeks after intervention. The data will be analysed using the intention-to-treat principle.

While feasible, inexpensive, and non radiation-exposed tools such as bioimpedance analysis have been used to measure appendicular skeletal muscle mass. In addition, isokinetic strength will be measured by a dynamometer for hand grip strength to evaluate sarcopenia. The main two axes of treatment of conventional sarcopenia are muscle resistance exercises and protein supplementation including branched chain amino acids. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the clinical effect by intervention for resistance exercise and nutritional supplementation in patients with hemodialysis.