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Aerobic, strength-based exercise may improve CKD symptoms
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Patients with CKD experienced increased self-efficacy regarding physical activity and relief of fatigue after 12 weeks of aerobic and strength-based exercise, according to recently published results.
Thomas J. Wilkinson, PhD, AFHEA, and colleagues randomly assigned 36 patients with CKD not requiring renal replacement therapy to complete either supervised aerobic exercise or a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training three times a week for 12 weeks. Researchers collected self-reported symptom burden, fatigue, health-related quality of life and physical activity.
Results showed a reduction in the total number of symptoms reported by 17% in both groups, with patients reporting a reduction in fatigue by 10% to 16%. Researchers found the frequency of itching, impotence and shortness of breath symptoms were reduced after aerobic exercise. Similarly, aerobic exercise also reduced the intrusiveness for symptoms of sleep disturbance, loss of muscular strength/power, muscle spasm/stiffness and restless legs, according to results. Researchers found loss of muscular strength/power was reduced with the addition of resistance exercise. Although aerobic exercise increased self-efficacy for physical activity, results showed no changes in subjective physical function or physical activity levels.
“Patients with chronic kidney disease experience many unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue and pain. We know that — in general — exercise improved physical fitness levels and strength, but until now we had little evidence that exercise also has a significant positive effect on symptoms in this patient group, as well as on their self-reported quality of life,” Wilkinson said in a press release from the University of Leicester and Leicester’s Hospitals. “We have now shown that exercise has positive benefits on patients’ reported symptoms. These include sleep problems, weakness, muscle spasms and restless legs. To maximize the health benefits, patients should undertake both aerobic and strength-training exercises.” – by Casey Tingle
Reference:
www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2018/august/exercise-shown-to-improve-symptoms-of-patients-with-chronic-kidney-disease
Disclosures: This research received part-funding from the Stoneygate Trust and research support from the National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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