Effect of intradialytic resistance training on pulse wave velocity and associated cardiovascular disease biomarkers in end stage renal disease.

AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving maintenance haemodialysis treatment. This study investigated the effect of a 12-week intradialytic progressive resistance training (PRT) intervention on pulse wave velocity (PWV) and associated haemodynamic, anthropometric, and hematologic outcomes in patients with ESRD. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with ESRD (59% men, 71.3 ± 11.0 years) were recruited. Supervised PRT (three sets of 11 exercises) was prescribed three times per week during routine dialysis. The primary outcome was brachial-ankle PWV via applanation tonometry. Secondary outcomes included augmentation index, brachial and aortic blood pressures, endothelial progenitor cells, C-reactive protein, blood lipids and anthropometrics. RESULTS: The intradialytic PRT regimen resulted in no significant change in PWV between control and intervention periods [mean difference = 0 (95% CI = -0.1 to 0.1); P = 0.58]. Similarly, no significant change was noted in any secondary outcome measures between the control and intervention periods. Post-hoc analyses limited to high adherers (≥75% attendance; n = 11) did not differ from the primary analysis, indicating no dose-response effect of our intervention. CONCLUSION: Our 12-week PRT intervention did not change PWV or any secondary outcomes. Future studies should determine if higher dosages of intradialytic PRT (i.e. longer duration and/or higher intensity) can be applied as a method to improve arterial stiffness to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease and associated mortality this cohort.

Effects of an intradialytic resistance training programme on physical function: a prospective stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intradialytic exercise programmes are important because of the deterioration in physical function that occurs in people receiving haemodialysis. Unfortunately, exercise programmes are rarely sustained in haemodialysis clinics. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a sustainable resistance exercise programme on the physical function of people receiving haemodialysis. METHODS: A total of 171 participants from 15 community satellite haemodialysis clinics performed progressive resistance training using resistance elastic bands in a seated position during the first hour of haemodialysis treatment. We used a stepped-wedge design of three groups, each containing five randomly allocated cluster units allocated to an intervention of 12, 24 or 36 weeks. The primary outcome measure was objective physical function measured by the 30-s sit-to-stand (STS) test, the 8-foot timed up and go (TUG) test and the four-square step test. Secondary outcome measures included quality of life, involvement in community activity, blood pressure and self-reported falls. RESULTS: Exercise training led to significant improvements in physical function as measured by STS and TUG. There was a significant average downward change (ß = -1.59, P < 0.01) before the intervention and a significant upward change after the intervention (ß = 0.38, P < 0.01) for the 30-s STS with a similar pattern noted for the TUG. CONCLUSION: Intradialytic resistance training can improve the physical function of people receiving dialysis.

The impact of an exercise physiologist coordinated resistance exercise program on the physical function of people receiving hemodialysis: a stepped wedge randomised control study.

BACKGROUND: Exercise during hemodialysis treatments improves physical function, markers of cardiovascular disease and quality of life. However, exercise programs are not a part of standard therapy in the vast majority of hemodialysis clinics internationally. Hemodialysis unit-based accredited exercise physiologists may contribute to an increased intradialytic exercise uptake and improved physical function. METHODS AND DESIGN: This is a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial design. A total of 180 participants will be recruited from 15 community satellite hemodialysis clinics in a large metropolitan Australian city. Each clinic will represent a cluster unit. The stepped wedge design will consist of three groups each containing five randomly allocated cluster units, allocated to either 12, 24 or 36 weeks of the intervention. The intervention will consist of an accredited exercise physiologist-coordinated program consisting of six lower body resistance exercises using resistance elastic bands and tubing. The resistance exercises will include leg abduction, plantar flexion, dorsi flexion, straight-leg/bent-knee raise, knee extension and knee flexion. The resistance training will incorporate the principle of progressive overload and completed in a seated position during the first hour of hemodialysis treatment. The primary outcome measure is objective physical function measured by the 30-second sit to stand test. Secondary outcome measures include the 8-foot timed-up-and-go test, the four square step test, quality of life, cost-utility analysis, uptake and involvement in community activity, self-reported falls, fall's confidence, medication use, blood pressure and morbidity (hospital admissions). DISCUSSION: The results of this study are expected to determine the efficacy of an accredited exercise physiologist supervised resistance training on the physical function of people receiving hemodialysis and the cost-utility of exercise physiologists in hemodialysis centres. This may contribute to intradialytic exercise as standard therapy using an exercise physiologist workforce model. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ACTRN12612001223820.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Exercise and Protein Effectiveness Supplementation Study (EXPRESS) on Reducing Frailty Risk in Community-Dwelling Older People.

This pilot study aimed to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a 6-months multi-component exercise program combined with twice daily consumption of either rice (RicePro) or whey-based (WheyPro) protein supplements (2 × 20 g of protein) on gait speed, grip strength and physical performance in community-dwelling pre-frail and frail older adults. Secondary outcomes included: frailty score, muscle mass, quality of life, nutritional intake, cognitive performance, depression and physical activity levels. A total of 70 participants (mean age 73.34 ± 6.85 years) were randomly allocated to either RicePro (n = 36) or WheyPro (n = 34). No adverse events were reported in regards to the exercise, however, several gastrointestinal symptoms were noted with the whey protein causing two-fold more symptoms compared to the rice protein. No differences were found between the groups (p > 0.05), except the total consumed energy (kJ) (p = 0.014) and fat (g) (p = 0.012) which was significantly lower in WheyPro. The results indicate that the quality of protein may not be as important as long as a sufficient amount is consumed.

Sustaining a hemodialysis exercise program: a review.

This article reviews the literature addressing exercise programs for dialysis patients to identify elements necessary for sustaining exercise programs in this population. Literature searches for publications (January 1980-February 2009) in Medline (OVID), PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCO), EBSCOhost EJS, ProQuest Central, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink (Kluwer), and Wiley Interscience (Blackwell) were performed. Reference lists from relevant articles were hand-searched for further publications. Criteria for inclusion included full-text primary research and review articles focused on exercise for adult hemodialysis patients. One hundred and seventy one publications were found with a primary focus on exercise in hemodialysis. Of these, 28 primary research and 14 review articles addressed one or more aspects of sustainability of hemodialysis exercise programs. Factors contributing to sustainable exercise programs included: dedicated exercise professionals; encouragement to exercise intradialytically; dialysis and medical staff commitment; adequate physical requirements of equipment and space; interesting and stimulating; cost implications need to be addressed; exercise is not for everyone; requires individual prescription; and there is no age barrier to exercise on hemodialysis.

The EXPRESS Study: Exercise and Protein Effectiveness Supplementation Study supporting autonomy in community dwelling frail older people-study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Research has repeatedly demonstrated that exercise has a positive impact on physical function and is beneficial in the treatment of physical frailty. However, an even more effective strategy for managing physical frailty might be the combination of multicomponent exercise with the intake of high-quality protein supplements, but the efficacy remains unclear for older adults who are already pre-frail and frail. The aim is to examine the feasibility of recruiting frail older adults to participate in a trial designed to determine the potential effects of a 6-month exercise and nutrition intervention on physical function. The feasibility objectives will include frail older peoples' compliance, the safety and tolerability of the trial, the estimation of estimates to aid sample size calculation, and the potential efficacy. Primary outcomes for the main trial will include gait speed, grip strength and physical performance. Secondary outcomes will include frailty status, muscle mass, nutritional intake, physical activity levels, cognitive performance and quality of life. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomised, parallel, control pilot and feasibility study will be conducted. All participants will be randomly assigned to either (a) an exercise program + high-quality protein supplement or (b) an exercise program + low-quality protein supplement. Both protein supplements will be matched closely in colour, flavour and packaging so that both the participants and the research staff are blinded. The exercise program will be the same in both groups. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 months and include gait speed, grip strength, the Short Physical Performance Battery, Timed Up and Go Test, FRAIL Screen, bioelectrical impedance analyses, 24-h dietary recall, Katz Activities of Daily Living, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, the Trail Making Test, Short Form Health Survey-36, and 1 week accelerometer quantification. The data will be analysed using an ANCOVA model. DISCUSSION: This study is expected to provide much needed insight into the feasibility of recruiting and retaining frail older adults into community-based intervention programs, while providing knowledge relating to the safety, tolerability and benefits of a combined exercise and protein supplement program designed to halt or reverse the transition of physical frailty in the community. If shown to be effective, this strategy could be included in the best practice clinical guidelines for community-dwelling older adults who are pre-frail or frail. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12616000521426.

Development, feasibility, and efficacy of a customized exercise device to deliver intradialytic resistance training in patients with end stage renal disease: Non-randomized controlled crossover trial.

Introduction This study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of a novel resistance training device used within an intradialytic progressive resistance training (PRT) intervention. Methods Non-randomized, within-subjects crossover design with outcomes assessed at baseline (week 0), postcontrol (week 13) and post-PRT intervention (week 26). Twenty-two hemodialysis patients (59% men, 71 ± 11 years) performed PRT three sessions per week for 12 weeks. The resistance training device was developed to enable the performance of 2 upper body and 3 lower body exercises, unilaterally and bilaterally, both before and during dialysis, with loads of 2.5 to 59 kg. Feasibility outcomes included adverse events, adherence and training load progression. Changes in upper and lower body muscular strength, six-minute walk, aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression were evaluated. Findings The PRT intervention was delivered without serious adverse events, resulted in 71.2% ± 23.3% adherence and significant adaptation of all training loads from pre to mid to post training (83.8%-185.6%, all P < 0.05). Lower body strength (P < 0.001) and HRQoL subscales (Role-Physical, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional) significantly increased (all P < 0.01) and a trend toward reduced depression was noted (P = 0.06). No significant changes were noted in other outcomes. Discussion PRT using the novel resistance training device was feasible and improved measures of physical and psychological health. This device can be utilized in most dialysis centers. Future studies are required to evaluate dose-response effects of PRT prescriptions in subpopulations, and the translation of PRT to standard dialysis practice.

Nutritional screening in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic literature review.

Nutrition screening is a process used to quickly identify those who may be at risk of malnutrition so that a full nutrition assessment and appropriate nutrition intervention can be provided. While many nutrition screening tools have been developed, few have been evaluated for use in older adults in the community setting. The aim of this paper is to determine the most appropriate nutrition screening tool/s, in terms of validity and reliability, for identifying malnutrition risk in older adults living in the community. Electronic databases MEDLINE, PUBMED, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched for nutrition screening tools to identify malnutrition or under-nutrition for adults greater than 65 years living in the community. Ten screening tools were found for use in community-dwelling older adults and subjected to validity and/or reliability testing: Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI), which includes the DETERMINE Checklist and Level I and II Screen, Australian Nutritional Screening Initiative (ANSI), Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN I and SCREEN II), Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), and two unnamed tools. MNA-SF appears to be the most appropriate nutrition screening tool for use in community-dwelling older adults although MUST and SCREEN II also have evidence to support their use. Further research into the acceptability of screening tools focusing on the outcomes of nutrition screening and appropriate nutrition intervention are required.