Breathing exercises to improve fatigue and quality of life in hemodialysis patients

Patients receiving haemodialysis have poor physical function, psychological status and quality of life than the general population.Fatigue is a debilitating symptom in haemodialysis patients Exercise training may improve these parameters for haemodialysis patients.

A 3-month randomized control trial with baseline、Week 4、Week 12 measurement periods was conducted. Exercise group was taught to Breathing exercise week and Usual care for three months. The control group received usual routine care.

A total of 86 patients participated in this study, with 43 patients in the Exercise group and 43 patients in the control group Methods: Hemodialysis Fatigue scale 、 WHOQOL-BREF 、 HADS_ Anxiety

、 HRV

Inclusion Criteria:

1. diagnosed by end-stage renal disease, regular hemodialysis three times a week and up to six months or more
2. Adults over 20 years of age.
3. Consciousness.
4. can be used to communicate in Taiwanese, accept questionnaire interviews or self-filling questionnaire.
5. no chest pain or shortness of breath symptoms.
6. No lower extremity disability and ability to walk on their own.
7. agree to take respiratory exercise intervention measures, have the intention to participate in this study and signed a consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. unstable vital signs, or serious heart disease: such as the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, cardiopulmonary disease and other patients.
2. A complication occurs, such as aspiration pneumonia.
3. history of arrhythmia, as well as taking heart rate medication.
4. Physician's advice is not suitable for exercise, such as bone and joint problems.
5. There is a temporary double vena cava catheter placed.