An experimental study to evaluate the effect of low-intensity intradialytic exercises on serum urea, creatinine, and fatigue of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD) toxins accumulate in the muscles and cause fatigue, mental impairment, and muscle dysfunction (cramps). Exercise results in the opening of capillaries thereby increasing blood flow and allowing greater movement of urea and creatinine from the tissues to the vascular compartment and subsequent removal through dialysis. An experimental study of 64 CKD patients (32 each in experimental and control group), six low-intensity intra-dialytic exercises (IDE) were implemented for experimental group using video demonstration at 90 min after initiation of hemodialysis (HD) repeated thrice at an interval of 10 mins. Pre- and post-HD serum urea, creatinine, and fatigue levels were assessed at baseline, two, four and six weeks. Fatigue was measured using FACIT scale. Significant difference was found between the control and experimental group in serum urea, creatinine and fatigue levels (P = 0.007, P = 0.001, P = 0.001) at six weeks post HD. The experimental group showed a significant decrease in creatinine levels from baseline to six weeks (P = 0.04). Ninety-seven percent of patients were compliant to low-intensity IDE with patients feeling better and comfortable along with decrease in felt fatigue levels. No significant association was found between duration of illness, duration of maintenance HD and comorbidities and serum urea, serum creatinine, and fatigue levels (P = 0.5, P = 0.21, P = 0.78). The present study shows low-intensity IDE when performed regularly, was effective in decreasing serum urea, creatinine, and fatigue levels of CKD patients undergoing HD with vital signs remaining within the normal range. No overt complications were reported; hence, the exercises were safe.