RENAL DISEASE.
Short-term Modified Tai Chi Exercise Improves Quality Of Life In Hemodialysis Patients
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
INTRODUCTION: Benefits of intradialytic exercise performed during outpatient hemodialysis (HD) therapy sessions have been demonstrated in End-Stage Renal Disease patients in previous studies. However, there is little evidence on the benefits of quality of life (QOL) as maintenance HD patients often show substantial reductions in QOL. Most studies used stationary cycling, strength and resistance training as modes of exercise. This is the first study that implemented an intradialytic mind-body exercise which has the advantages of requiring no equipment and little training or supervision.
CONCLUSION: Modified Tai Chi (MTC) may be a feasible, low-cost, and effective exercise to improve QOL in maintenance HD patients. Our preliminary observations underscore the need for further long-term studies using larger sample size to establish the benefits of MTC in HD patients.