RESUMO
AIM: To determine the effect of a 16-week intradialytic exercise program consisting of 30 minutes of exercise during the first two hours of dialysis with three times a week frequency, on the quality of life (QoL), level of depression/anxiety and physical perfor- mance in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: The clinical, longitudinal, prospective study with one-group repeated measures design was conducted during a 16-week period. A convenience sample of 52 HD patients, who had been on HD for a minimum of 6 months, were included. QoL, level of depression and anxiety (questionnaires: SF-36, Back Depression Inventory (BDI) and Back Anxiety Inventory (BAI)) and physical performance (modifying Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)) were assessed at baseline and after 4-month exercise program. RESULTS: The following scales of SF-36 questionnaire were improved after 16-week exercise program: role functioning/emotional (P=0.01 8), energy/fatigue (P = 0.002) and social functi- oning (P = 0.030). Level of depression and anxiety were significantly decreased in males (P = 0.007 and P = 0.022, respectively) and females (P = 0.001 and P = 0.000, respectively). VAS scale and MMT were significantly increased in males (P = 0.000 and P = 0.001, respectively) and females (P = 0.01 9 and P = 0.001, respectively) after 16-week exercise program. CONCLUSION: Exercise program improves some aspects of QoL and physical performance, and decreases the level of depression and anxiety in HD patients.