Randomized Trial Comparing Physical Therapy During Versus Before Hemodialysis in Adults With End-Stage Renal Disease

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare two timings of physical therapy for adults with end-stage renal disease ESRD who are undergoing hemodialysis. The study evaluates whether exercising during dialysis sessions or before dialysis leads to better improvements in physical function, quality of life, and laboratory measures such as hemoglobin and electrolyte levels. A total of 72 adult participants will take part in this randomized controlled trial to help determine the best approach to physical therapy in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will perform supervised physical therapy exercises during their dialysis sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks, while the other group will perform the same exercises before their dialysis sessions on the same schedule. Each session lasts about 30 minutes and includes warm-up, resistance training, and cool-down. Both groups will first receive standardized education about the benefits and safety of exercise before starting the intervention. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments including the Six-Minute Walk Test, Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and quality of life questionnaires at baseline, every four weeks during the 12-week intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. Blood tests to measure hemoglobin and electrolyte levels will be done at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The study monitors these outcomes to evaluate the effects of exercise timing on health and well-being for individuals on hemodialysis.

A Comparative Study of Intradialytic vs. Pre-Dialysis Physical Therapy Interventions in Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial