Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive clinical condition that affects a growing number of people worldwide. While advances in haemodialysis techniques have led to notable improvements in survival rates and the quality of life (QoL) of patients with CKD (PwCKD), significant complications persist, primarily associated with chronic uremia. These include skeletal muscle atrophy, reduced muscular strength and diminished functional capacity. Recent studies support the role of systematic exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy to reduce issues and improve musculoskeletal function among haemodialysis patients. Specifically, intradialytic exercise gained ground due to its efficiency in time utilization and elimination of transport burden. Nevertheless, most of the intradialytic exercise programs implement aerobic exercise and there is a lack of studies investigating combined strength and aerobic exercise modalities, which may offer more comprehensive physiological benefits. The aim of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine whether a 6-month combined aerobic and resistance exercise program, implemented during haemodialysis sessions, could affect body composition, muscle oxygenation of the lower and upper extremities, and functional capacity of patients that underwent haemodialysis. Forty patients will be randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (Exercise Group) will undergo 3 sessions per week of an intradialytic exercise program for 6 months and Group B (Control Group) will receive the usual care without participating in organized exercise programs. Prior to the group random allocation, part of our assessments at baseline and after 6 (Evaluation A') will include demographics and clinical history, body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance analysis, muscle oxygenation monitoring of the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscles at rest and during exercise using near-infrated spectroscopy (NIRS) technology. Functional capacity will be assessed through validated tests: Six-minute walk test (6MWT), 30-second sit-to-stand test, five-repetition sit-to-stand test (5STS), handgrip strength, 4-meter gait speed test. Additionally, we will use questionnaires assessing physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), depression using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), stress using Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale(GAD-7) and the QoL using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form(KDQOL-SF) of people that underwent dialysis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Patients randomly assigned to this group will be invited to attend a 6 month exercise program. The 6-month exercise intervention will be conducted three times per week during the first two hours of each hemodialysis session at the 2nd Nephrology Clinic at AHEPA University Hospital. Each session will begin with a warm-up phase, followed by aerobic exercise using bedside-adapted cycle ergometers. Exercise duration will initially be set at 30 minutes and progressively increased to 60 minutes, performed at moderate intensity (12-13 on the 6-20 Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale). After the first month, resistance training will be gradually introduced, initially using body weight and subsequently incorporating elastic resistance bands. Each session will conclude with a cool-down period.
Sports Medicine Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, Greece
Clinical and demographic characteristics
Time frame: Baseline
Clinical and demographic characteristics
Time frame: 6-month
Muscle oxygenation Assessment-MOXY
Measurement of vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscle oxygenation at rest and during exercise using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices (Moxy 1408, Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA; Moxy 2136, Idiag AG, Fehraltorf, Switzerland).
Time frame: Baseline
Muscle oxygenation Assessment-MOXY
Measurement of vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscle oxygenation at rest and during exercise using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices (Moxy 1408, Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA; Moxy 2136, Idiag AG, Fehraltorf, Switzerland).
Time frame: 6-month
Body composition analysis
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (Bodystat QuadScan 4000).
Time frame: Baseline
Body composition analysis
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (Bodystat QuadScan 4000).
Time frame: 6-month
Six minute walk test
Aerobic capacity
Time frame: Baseline
Six minute walk test
Aerobic capacity
Time frame: 6-month
JAMAR SMART Hand Dynamometer
Handgrip Strength
Time frame: Baseline
JAMAR SMART Hand Dynamometer
Handgrip Strength
Time frame: 6- month
30-second Sit-to-Stand Test
Lower limb functional capacity
Time frame: Baseline
30-second Sit-to-Stand Test
Lower limb functional capacity
Time frame: 6- month
Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test (5STS)
Lower limb functional capacity
Time frame: Baseline
Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test (5STS)
Lower limb functional capacity
Time frame: 6- month
4-Meter Gait Speed Test
Time frame: Baseline
4-Meter Gait Speed Test
Time frame: 6- month
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Assessment of Physical Activity (PA) Levels (MET-min/week). Using the IPAQ scoring protocol, participants classified into three PA categories: low (\<600 MET-min/week), moderate, and high (active) (≥3000 MET-min/week or vigorous PA ≥1500 MET-min/week). Higher scores indicate more physically active patients.
Time frame: Baseline
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Assessment of Physical Activity (PA) Levels (MET-min/week). Using the IPAQ scoring protocol, participants classified into three PA categories: low (\<600 MET-min/week), moderate, and high (active) (≥3000 MET-min/week or vigorous PA ≥1500 MET-min/week). Higher scores indicate more physically active patients.
Time frame: 6- month
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Assessment of depressive symptoms. Total score ranges from 0 to 63. Each item is scored 0-3, where higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Typical interpretations are: 0-13 (minimal), 14-19 (mild), 20-28 (moderate), and 29-63 (severe).
Time frame: Baseline
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Assessment of depressive symptoms. Total score ranges from 0 to 63. Each item is scored 0-3, where higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Typical interpretations are: 0-13 (minimal), 14-19 (mild), 20-28 (moderate), and 29-63 (severe).
Time frame: 6- month
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7).
Assessment of anxiety symptoms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing anxiety symptoms over the past 2 weeks, with a total score range of 0-21 (items scored 0-3). Severity categories are 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, and 15-21 severe; Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7).
Assessment of anxiety symptoms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing anxiety symptoms over the past 2 weeks, with a total score range of 0-21 (items scored 0-3). Severity categories are 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, and 15-21 severe; Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: 6- month
Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™)
Assessment of health-related quality of life. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™) assesses kidney disease-specific and general health. Domain scores range from 0-100 scale (minimum 0; maximum 100). Higher scores indicate better quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline
Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™)
Assessment of health-related quality of life. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™) assesses kidney disease-specific and general health. Domain scores range from 0-100 scale (minimum 0; maximum 100). Higher scores indicate better quality of life.
Time frame: 6- month
Baseline leg dynamometer
Time frame: Baseline
Baseline leg dynamometer
Time frame: 6- month
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.