ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is necessary to exercise in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) patients but it's difficult because of their physical condition and little motivation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the walking exercise program on health status in CAPD patients. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group with pre- and post-test was designed to examine the effects of the program. Data collection was done from December, 2002 to June, 2003. The study participants were selected according to the criteria among the patients who were receiving CAPD at the department of Kidney Center, NIHC Ilsan hospital. The walking exercise program was consisted of an exercise education protocol, an exercise prescription, and a counselling protocol based on a framework of self-efficacy promotion. The exerciser group which was composed of 19 participants was educated based on an exercise education protocol and carried out walking exercise for two to four times a week upon taking verbal persuasion biweekly through telephone or face-to-face interview for 12 weeks, while 17 participants in control group were received no intervention. RESULTS: There was significant differences between two groups; the exerciser group showed better physical function (p=0.03), higher VO2 max (p=0.01) and higher serum albumin level (p=0.02) than the results of control group. However, there were no differences in lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: The walking exercise program was found to have an effect to increase health status of CAPD patients. The results provided evidences for the importance of continuous physical activity in CAPD patients.