Adding Receptive Music to Intradialytic Resistance Exercise in Adults Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis

N/ACompletedNCT07819331

The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax47 enrolled

Overview

People receiving maintenance hemodialysis commonly experience reduced physical function and exercise capacity. Intradialytic resistance exercise may help preserve or improve physical function, while receptive music listening may provide additional benefits when combined with exercise. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding receptive music listening to a supervised intradialytic resistance exercise program improved physical function compared with the same exercise program without music and with usual care. Forty-seven adults receiving maintenance hemodialysis were allocated to one of three groups: resistance exercise combined with receptive music listening, resistance exercise alone, or usual care. The intervention lasted 8 weeks and included 24 planned exercise sessions for participants assigned to the exercise groups. The primary outcome was lower-limb functional performance assessed using the 60-second sit-to-stand test. Secondary outcomes included dialysis adequacy, blood pressure, health-related quality of life, intervention adherence, and adverse events.

This was a single-center, three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in adults receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to intradialytic resistance exercise combined with receptive music listening, intradialytic resistance exercise alone, or usual hemodialysis care. Participants assigned to either exercise group completed a supervised 8-week intradialytic resistance exercise program comprising 24 planned sessions. Exercise was initiated approximately 60 minutes after the start of the hemodialysis session and consisted of lower-limb resistance exercises targeting major muscle groups. Exercise intensity was guided using the Borg CR10 rating of perceived exertion scale, with a target intensity of 4 to 6. The receptive music group listened to individually selected music during the exercise sessions, whereas the exercise-only group performed the same exercise program without the study music intervention. Participants assigned to the control group continued usual hemodialysis care without the study exercise or music intervention. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period. The primary outcome was lower-limb functional performance assessed using the 60-second sit-to-stand test. Secondary outcomes included dialysis adequacy, blood pressure, health-related quality of life, adherence to the planned intervention, and adverse events.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Interventions

Intradialytic Resistance ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Participants performed supervised lower-limb resistance exercise three times per week for 8 weeks, for a total of 24 planned sessions. Exercise began approximately 60 minutes after the start of hemodialysis and included exercises targeting the major lower-limb muscle groups using elastic resistance bands and/or ankle weights. The programme progressed from one to three sets of 10-15 repetitions according to individual tolerance. Exercise intensity was guided by the Borg CR10 rating of perceived exertion scale, targeting 4-6. Active exercise time was approximately 20-25 minutes per session.

Receptive Music ListeningBEHAVIORAL

Participants assigned to the exercise-plus-music arm listened to individually selected receptive music during each intradialytic resistance exercise session. Music was selected according to individual preference and delivered throughout the exercise period. The selected music had a tempo of approximately 60-80 beats per minute, with sound intensity limited to a maximum of 50 dB. Receptive music listening was provided during the 24 planned exercise sessions over the 8-week intervention period.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older. * Receiving maintenance haemodialysis three times weekly for at least 3 months. * Able to perform lower-limb resistance exercise. * Clinically stable, defined as no hospitalisation for a cardiovascular event within the preceding 3 months. Exclusion Criteria: Unstable cardiovascular disease, including recent acute coronary syndrome, uncontrolled arrhythmias, or symptomatic heart failure. * Severe musculoskeletal or neurological conditions limiting exercise capacity. * Active infection. * Recurrent intradialytic hypotension, defined as two or more symptomatic episodes in the previous month. * Inability to understand and follow study instructions.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

60-Second Sit-to-Stand Test Performance

Lower-limb functional performance was assessed using the 60-second sit-to-stand test. The outcome was the total number of complete sit-to-stand repetitions performed during 60 seconds. Higher values indicate better functional performance.