Effectiveness of Intradialytic Exercises on Muscle Cramps and Quality of Life among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Selected Hospitals, Chennai

Abstract

Intradialytic exercise helps to give more energy. It makes the patient feel stronger, improves sleep, mood, quality of life (QOL) and reduces stress. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise on muscle cramps and quality of life among hemodialysis (HD) patients. A quasi experimental two group pre and post design was adopted for the study and 80 patients (experimental group=40, control group=40) undergoing hemodialysis were selected using non probability purposive sampling technique. Pretest was conducted using interview schedule to collect the data from the patients in both groups. For the experimental group the investigator administered intradialytic exercises for 2 weeks (6 hemodialysis sitting) and the control group received the hospital routine treatment. On day 12, post test was conducted using same tools from both groups. The results revealed that intradialytic exercises were effective in reducing muscle cramps and improving the quality of life among patients undergoing hemodialysis.