Perceptions of healthcare providers on benefits, risks and barriers regarding intradialytic exercise among haemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Clinical guidelines call for the inclusion of exercise interventions in every patient's dialysis session, but these recommendations are rarely adopted. Healthcare providers play a key role in this. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how healthcare providers perceive the benefits, risks and barriers of intradialytic exercise (IDE). METHODS: We conducted 21 individual, semi-structured interviews with 11 nurses, 5 nephrologists, 3 training assistants and 2 managers from two dialysis centres in Slovakia. Verbatim transcripts of digitally recorded interviews were thematically analysed using MAXQDA®. RESULTS: Participants reported the benefits of IDE as improvements in patients' physical and psychosocial functioning, independence and self-efficacy, clinical profile and quality of therapy. As risks of IDE, they most frequently reported exercise-related damage to vascular access, insufficient individualization of training and musculoskeletal injuries. The presence of psychological problems among patients was reported as a major barrier for initiating and maintaining patients' exercise. Other reported barriers included limitations in financial and personnel resources of haemodialysis care. CONCLUSIONS: Safe and sustainable implementation of IDE, which might improve a patient's well-being, need to be prescribed in alignment with the patient's clinical profile, be delivered individually according to the patient's characteristics and requires adjustments in the available resources.

Age and sex differences in the effectiveness of intradialytic resistance training on muscle function.

Previous research shows the beneficial effects of an intradialytic resistance training (IRT) on muscle function in haemodialysis patients. However, patients vary highly in their functional responses to IRT, may be due to effects of age and sex heterogeneities in adaptation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the degree to which the effects of IRT on the muscle function of haemodialysis patients vary by age and sex. We included 57 patients who completed a 12-week IRT (EXG) and 33 patients who received no IRT (CNG) during haemodialysis. Muscle function (MF) was assessed using dynamometry before and after a 12-week intervention and after a 12-week follow-up. After the 12-week intervention, we found a moderation effect of age in the relative (%) change (p = 0.011) and absolute (Δ) change (p = 0.027) of MF, and a moderation effect of sex in %MF (p = 0.001), but not in ΔMF (p = 0.069). Regarding patients' age, the change of MF was only significantly different between EXG and CNG patients aged 60-70 years (%MF, EXG: + 34.6%, CNG: - 20.1%, p < 0.001; ΔMF, EXG: + 44.4 N, CNG: - 22.1 N, p < 0.001). Regarding patients' sex, the change of MF was only significantly different between EXG and CNG female patients (%MF, EXG: + 23.9%, CNG: - 23.6%, p < 0.001). Age and sex did not significantly moderate changes in MF measures after 12 weeks of follow-up. We conclude that both age and sex of haemodialysis patients affect their functional response to IRT in the short term.Trial Registration: Intradialytic Resistance Training in Haemodialysis Patients (IRTHEP)-#NCT03511924, 30/04/2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03511924 .

The role of diabetes mellitus in the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise intervention on patients' muscle function.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to identify the role of diabetes mellitus in the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise intervention among haemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this multicentre study 90 dialysed patients were allocated to the experimental (EXG, n=57) or control group (CNG, n=33). In EXG, we included 20 diabetic and 37 non-diabetic patients. In CNG, we enrolled 8 diabetic and 25 non-diabetic patients. EXG underwent a 12-week supervised, progressive, intradialytic resistance training programme, while CNG stayed inactive during dialysis. Baseline, post-interventional and post-follow-up assessments of maximal force during hip extension (HE), hip flexion (HF) and knee extension (KE) contractions were completed in both groups of patients. RESULTS: HE increased in diabetic and non-diabetic EXG patients (diabetic EXG, change: +14.5N; 95% CI=-5.5 to +34.5; non-diabetic EXG, +18.6N; 95% CI=+3.4 to +33.8) and diabetic CNG patients (change: +17.9N; 95% CI=-9.2 to +44.9). Only non-diabetic CNG patients experienced a decrease in HE (change: -22.8N; 95% CI=-36.9 to -8.7, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training improved muscle function among dialysis patients regardless of the presence of diabetes mellitus. We found that non-diabetic patients lose their muscle function extensively during inactivity, while diabetic patients retain their muscle function.

The effects of an intradialytic resistance training on lower extremity muscle functions.

PURPOSE: The loss of muscle functions is a significant health issue among dialysis patients. Poor muscle strength negatively affects a patient's mobility, independence and quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of an intradialytic resistance training (IRT) on lower extremity muscle functions among dialysed patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients were allocated into an experimental group (n = 57) or control group (CNG) (n = 33) according to the location of the dialysis service center. Fifty-eight patients completed the study follow-up. The intervention regarded 12-week IRT, while the controls remained physically inactive during hemodialysis. In both groups of patients, we assessed lower extremity muscle functions by a diagnostics of maximal isometric force generated during hip flexion (HF), hip extension (HE), and knee extension (KE) contractions at baseline, after the 12-weeks intervention and after a further 12-weeks follow up. RESULTS: We found that improvements in HE between baseline and post-intervention were significantly larger for the experimental than the CNG (difference 32.0, 95% CI = 12.3-51.8, p = 0.002). For the other primary outcomes, we found no differences between the groups, and neither for the two other indices of muscle strength (HF and KE). At 12-weeks follow-up, we found no statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that exercise during dialysis not just suppresses adverse effects in muscle strength and functioning, but effectively and safely increases lower extremities muscle function in a relatively short time.Implications for RehabilitationRegular, progressive, resistance training realized during dialysis is well tolerated and safe for exercise interventions in hemodialysis patients.A 12-weeks intradialytic resistance training is effective in the prevention and clinical management of muscle function loss among hemodialysis patients.The range of improvements in muscle functions, demonstrated by the assessment of maximal isometric force, varied severely during different lower extremity movements of hemodialysis patients.

The role of physical activity and miRNAs in the vascular aging and cardiac health of dialysis patients.

Cardiovascular comorbidities are independent risk factors for mortality in dialysis patients. MicroRNA signaling has an important role in vascular aging and cardiac health, while physical activity is a primary nonpharmacologic treatment for cardiovascular comorbidities in dialysis patients. To identify the relationships between muscle function, miRNA signaling pathways, the presence of vascular calcifications and the severity of cardiovascular comorbidities, we initially enrolled 90 subjects on hemodialysis therapy and collected complete data from 46 subjects. A group of 26 subjects inactiv group (INC) was monitored during 12 weeks of physical inactivity and another group of 20 patients exercise group (EXC) was followed during 12 weeks of intradialytic, moderate intensity, resistance training intervention applied three times per week. In both groups, we assessed the expression levels of myo-miRNAs, proteins, and muscle function (MF) before and after the 12-week period. Data on the presence of vascular calcifications and the severity of cardiac comorbidities were collected from the patients' EuCliD® records. Using a full structural equitation modelling of the total study sample, we found that the higher the increase in MF was observed in patients, the higher the probability of a decrease in the expression of miR-206 and TRIM63 and the lower severity of cardiac comorbidities. A reduced structural model in INC patients showed that the higher the decrease in MF, the higher the probability of the presence of calcifications and the higher severity of cardiac comorbidities. In EXC patients, we found that the higher the increase in MF, the lower the probability of higher severity of cardiovascular comorbidities.

The role of diabetes mellitus in the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise intervention on patients' muscle function.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to identify the role of diabetes mellitus in the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise intervention among haemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this multicentre study 90 dialysed patients were allocated to the experimental (EXG, n=57) or control group (CNG, n=33). In EXG, we included 20 diabetic and 37 non-diabetic patients. In CNG, we enrolled 8 diabetic and 25 non-diabetic patients. EXG underwent a 12-week supervised, progressive, intradialytic resistance training programme, while CNG stayed inactive during dialysis. Baseline, post-interventional and post-follow-up assessments of maximal force during hip extension (HE), hip flexion (HF) and knee extension (KE) contractions were completed in both groups of patients. RESULTS: HE increased in diabetic and non-diabetic EXG patients (diabetic EXG, change: +14.5N; 95% CI=-5.5 to +34.5; non-diabetic EXG, +18.6N; 95% CI=+3.4 to +33.8) and diabetic CNG patients (change: +17.9N; 95% CI=-9.2 to +44.9). Only non-diabetic CNG patients experienced a decrease in HE (change: -22.8N; 95% CI=-36.9 to -8.7, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training improved muscle function among dialysis patients regardless of the presence of diabetes mellitus. We found that non-diabetic patients lose their muscle function extensively during inactivity, while diabetic patients retain their muscle function.

MicroRNA molecules as predictive biomarkers of adaptive responses to strength training and physical inactivity in haemodialysis patients.

The miRNA-206 and miRNA-23a play an important role in muscle tissue hypertrophy, regeneration and atrophy. Both of these miRNAs have been highlighted as promising adaptation predictors; however, the available evidence on associations is inconclusive. Therefore, our aim was to assess the expression levels of these two miRNAs as predictors of change in muscle function during strength training and physical inactivity among dialysed patients. For this purpose, 46 haemodialysis patients were monitored for 12-weeks of either intradialytic strength training (EXG, n = 20) or physical inactivity during dialysis (CON, n = 26). In both groups of patients, we assessed the baseline expression levels of miRNA-23a and miRNA-206 and the isometric force generated during hip flexion (HF) contraction before and after the 12-week period. Among the EXG group, the expression of miRNA-206 predicted the change in HF (R2 = 0.63, p = 0.0005) much more strongly than the expression of miRNA-23a (R2 = 0.21, p = 0.027). Interestingly, baseline miRNA-23a (R2 = 0.30, p = 0.006) predicted the change in HF much more than miRNA-206 (p = ns) among the CON group. Our study indicates that the baseline expression of miRNA-206 could predict the response to strength training, while miRNA-23a could serve as a potential predictive marker of functional changes during physical inactivity in dialysis patients.

Vascular access as a survival factor for the hemodialysis population: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The creation of vascular access is an essential condition for providing hemodialysis, which remains the only option for most patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. Selection of the type of vascular access affects patients' clinical outcomes, access maintenance frequency, risk of infection and major adverse cardiac events during dialysis. To improve the decision-making process, we performed a retrospective clinical data analysis of dialyzed patients and critically compared the survival rates between two types of vascular access applied during dialysis therapy during a 5 years follow-up period. METHODS: Using nationally representative data from 18 dialysis centers across Slovakia, we explore and compare survival rates of 960 adult patients undergoing hemodialysis using either a central venous catheter (CVC) or an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Length of dialysis, protein malnutrition and comorbidities were examined as possible covariates that might influence survival rates. RESULTS: Chances of surviving for a one-year period were higher by 52% in AVF patients compared to CVC patients (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.27-1.83; P<0.001) regardless of age, sex, nutritional status, time spent on dialysis and comorbidities. The presence of cardiac congestion (HR 1.26 [95% CI 1.06-1.50], P<0.01) and malnutrition (protein malnutrition: HR 0.98 [95% CI 0.96-1.00], P<0.05; lean tissue index: HR 0.79 [95% CI 0.67-0.93], P<0.01) decreases chances for survival. CONCLUSIONS: A functional arteriovenous fistula is a significant predictor of survival in the population dependent on hemodialysis, independently of sociodemographic parameters and serious comorbidities. Therefore, if various types of vascular accesses are applicable for the patient, AVF should be prioritized over CVC.

The effects of intradialytic resistance training on muscle strength, psychological well-being, clinical outcomes and circulatory micro-ribonucleic acid profiles in haemodialysis patients: Protocol for a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Intradialytic resistance training (IRT) protects patients' muscle mass and functions against protein-energy wasting, malnutrition and cachexia. However, the evidence of the effects of such an intervention in haemodialysis patients is limited and not conclusive. To improve the applicability of such interventions, we need a better understanding of molecular, functional and psycho-social adaptation in dialysed patients following a physical training. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of IRT on lower extremity muscle functions, quality of life, and anxiety and depression, clinical outcomes and circulatory micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) profiles in patients on chronic haemodialysis therapy. METHODS: We will perform a quasi-experimental study in 3 dialysis centres. Patients will be recruited via their nephrologists and will be allocated to an experimental and a control group based on the location of the patients' dialysis centre. Patients allocated to the experimental group will undergo a 12-week IRT, while the control group will remain physically inactive during dialysis. The primary outcome is the change in the maximal force produced during an isometric contraction of lower extremity muscles. Secondary outcomes regard quality of life, anxiety and depression, clinical outcomes and circulatory miRNA profiles. Patients' level of health literacy defined as the ability to get and understand health information will be also measured in the study as a potential modifier of effects. DISCUSSION: This quasi-experimental study can add in an important way to our understanding of the effects of resistance training on dialysis patients' muscle strength, quality of life and disease-specific outcomes.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate utilization of physical activity recommendations among patients of cardiovascular healthcare centres in Eastern Slovakia: study design and rationale of the AWATAR study.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines on modifiable risk factors regarding cardiological patients are poorly implemented in clinical practice perhaps due to low health literacy. Several digital tools for improving lifestyle and behavioural intervention were developed. Our primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital exercise prescription tool on the adherence to physical activity recommendations among patients with cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial will be realized in cooperation with Cardiovascular Health Centres in Eastern Slovakia. Patients recruited through their cardiologists, will be randomised at 1:1 ratio to the three-months' experimental condition or control condition. The experimental group will receive standard lifestyle consultation leading to individually optimized prescription of physical activity. The control group will receive standard, usual-cardio-care lifestyle counselling, also in the domain of physical activity. The digital system will be used for optimized exercise prescription. The primary outcome is a change in the patient's adherence to exercise recommendations. Data will be collected in both groups prior to consultation and after 3 months. DISCUSSION: This study protocol presents background and design of a randomized control trial to investigate the effectiveness of a digital system-provide exercise prescription tool on the adherence to physical activity recommendations. An optimized exercise prescription that better reflects patient's diagnosis, comorbidities and medication can have a significant impact on secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. This trial can provide important evidence about the effectiveness of digital exercise guidance in everyday practice of cardiovascular healthcare. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on 1st November, 2017 and is available online at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03329053 ).