According to a large-scale study led by the Technical University of Munich, patients who engage in light exercise while undergoing dialysis experience physical fitness improvements and lower hospital admission rates compared to those who do not exercise.
The study involved approximately 1,000 patients at 21 dialysis centers in Germany. Half of the participants completed exercise sessions at least once a week alongside their dialysis, while the other half only received medical monitoring. The exercise sessions included endurance training with a bed-cycle ergometer and exercises with weights, resistance bands, and balls, tailored to each patient’s ability. After a year, the active participants showed significant improvements in standardized testing, including the number of repetitions in a one-minute sit-to-stand test and walking distance in six minutes. Participants who completed regular training spent an average of two days in the hospital during the study, compared to five days for the control group. The researchers suggest that personalized training would cost approximately €25 per session per person. This study highlights the importance of incorporating exercise into the treatment of dialysis patients and could potentially lead to exercise programs becoming standard in dialysis treatment.
The Bottom Line:
A study conducted by the Technical University of Munich found that engaging in light exercise while undergoing dialysis can positively impact the health and hospital admission rates of patients. Exercise sessions tailored to each patient’s ability, conducted at least once a week alongside dialysis, resulted in significant improvements in physical fitness and a reduction in hospital stays.
Key Points:
– Approximately 1,000 patients at 21 dialysis centers in Germany participated in a study on exercise during dialysis.
– Half of the participants completed exercise sessions at least once a week, while the others received medical monitoring only.
– The exercise sessions included endurance training with a bed-cycle ergometer and exercises with weights, resistance bands, and balls.
– After a year, the active participants showed significant improvements in standardized testing, such as the number of repetitions in a sit-to-stand test and walking distance in six minutes.
– Participants who completed regular training spent an average of two days in the hospital during the study, compared to five days for the control group.
– The researchers suggest that personalized training would cost approximately €25 per session per person.
– The results of the study could lead to exercise programs becoming standard in dialysis treatment.
Source Article: https://medicaldialogues.in/nephrology/news/exercise-during-dialysis-linked-to-positive-health-impact-114889
