Quality of Life and Sexual Life in Hemodialysis Patients: Effects of an Intradialytic Exercise Program

Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Kidney Diseases; Sexual Dysfunction

Treatments: Other: Intradialytic exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05836675

Fmed-05-23

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to investigate whether an intradialytic exercise program can improve the quality of life, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Full description

When diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease phase 5, patients are dialyzed to remove waste products and toxins from the blood that kidneys can´t longer filter. Although hemodialysis removes most of the toxins and allows health improvement, patients continue reporting a low quality of life and limitations in their functional independence.

Within the context of quality of life, sexuality is an important factor; a high incidence of sexual dysfunctions has been reported among hemodialysis patients. Although poorly addressed, it impacts family and couple relationships, emotions, and mental health.

Exercise interventions improve physical function and quality of life, and since some of the mechanisms involved in exercise are also involved in sexual activity, an exercise intervention could be an effective approach to sexual dysfunctions without the risk and stigma of sexual or drug therapy.

Therefore the study aims to implement an intradialytic exercise program involving aerobic, resistance, and Kegel exercises (specific to the pelvic floor) and determine its effects on quality of life, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Enrollment: 37 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Participants with stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease
• Participants that are undergoing hemodialysis for at least 3 months
• Participants between 18 and 70 years old
• Their participation is voluntary and they have signed the informed consent form
• Participants that have medical approval from their nephrologist

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with severe cardiovascular damage (NYHA >3)
• Participants with a high probability of receiving a transplant within 6 months
• Participants with psychiatric or psychological disorders such as severe depression (Beck Index) that can affect their ability to consent or participate in the study
• Participants that perform physical exercise at least 2 times a week for the last 3 months or more
• Participants with bilateral lower limb amputation
• Participants with vascular access located in lower limbs
• Pregnant participants

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

37 participants in 1 patient group

Experimental Intradialytic exercise

Experimental group

Description:

Aerobic, resistance and Kegel exercises

Treatment:

Other: Intradialytic exercise