Journal of Clinical & Experimental Nephrology

The Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Functional Capacity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an aquatic program in functional capacity and quality of life in hemodialysis patients.
Patients and methods: The study included 27 patients. Group A (n=15) followed an exercise program in a swimming pool and group B (n=12) were the controls. Six Minute Walk tests, Sit to Stand test, Sit and Reach test, Handgrip test, Timed Up and Go test were evaluated. All participants also completed SF-36 Questionnaire.
Results: After the aquatic program improvement was observed in all physical parameters and quality of life questionnaire in exercise group. The 6MWT distance increased from 558.8 ± 127.5 m to 625.6 ± 128.1 (p<0.05), the Sit to Stand test from 17.6 ± 5.2 sec to 15.2 ± 5.4 (p<0.05), Handgrip strength test from 34.6 ± 14.2 kg to 37.2 ± 14.7 (p<0.05), Sit and Reach test from 4.7 ± 9.1 cm to -0.6 ± 8.4 (p<0.05), Timed Up and Go test from 5.5 ± 1.4 sec to 4.6 ± 1.4 (p<0.05). Group B reduced its performance in 6-Min walk test from 499.1 ± 94.6 m to 454.4 ± 90.4 (p<0.05), Handgrip test from 34.3 ± 9.6 kg to 32.3 ± 9.9 (p<0.05), and Timed Up and Go from 6.1 ± 1.7 sec to 6.6 ± 2.5 (p<0.05). In SF-36 questionnaire, Group A improved both in Physical and Mental Component Scale and compared to Group B.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that aquatic exercise improves physical functioning and quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Author(s):

Samara Anastasia, Kouidi Evangelia, Fountoulakis Konstantinos, Alexiou Serafeim, Deligiannis Asterios

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