Effect of Intradialytic Hemodialysis Exercises on Fatigue and Leg cramps

Background: Hemodialysis is an ongoing process where patients experience complications such as hypotension, muscle cramps, fatigue and nausea during the procedure. Aim: To evaluate the effect of implementing intradialytic hemodialysis exercises program on fatigue and leg cramps. Subjects and methods: Pre/posttest was utilized in this study. it was conducted in dialysis unit at Sohag University Hospital, A sample of 60 patients who undergoing hemodialysis with fistula (peripheral vascular access), with age 18-65 years old. four tools were used: Tool(I): Structured Interview Questionnaire sheet, Tool (II):Cramp questionnaire chart and visual analogue scale : Pre/post test (after 2 months) Tool (III) : Fatigue severity scale and Tool (IV): Intradialytic exercise. Results. The mean age of the patients was 43.80± 12.089(range 18- 65). More than half of patients (58.3%) experienced muscle cramps in both the legs. As regard muscle involved in cramps, majority of patients(83.3 %) experienced muscle cramps in gastrocnemius muscle. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that there were statistical significance differences as regard cramps questionnaire chart, visual analogue scale and fatigue severity scale pre &post intradialytic exercises. Recommendations: Intradialytic exercises can be adapted as a procedure to the patients undergoing hemodialysis.