Effect of chair stand exercise on activity of daily living: a randomized controlled trial in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: Muscle atrophy and weakness impair activity of daily living (ADL). We examined whether chair stand exercise can improve ADL of hemodialysis patients.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Setting And Participants: A single center study.

Subjects: Outpatients on hemodialysis older than 60 years (61-79 years).

Intervention: Twelve weeks of intervention with chair stand exercise, 3 sessions/week versus the control exercise (stretch, 1 session/week).

Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome was the change in functional independence measure (FIM) score from baseline. The secondary outcomes were changes in thigh circumference, muscle strength of quadriceps, 6-minute walking distance, maximum duration of chair stand exercise, health-related quality of life, cognitive function serum albumin, and hemoglobin.

Results: Among the 27 patients who were randomized, 17 completed the study. The change in FIM from baseline was greater in the intervention group (1 [1-3] vs. 0 [0-0], median (minimum to maximum), P < .001) due to the significant improvement in the FIM subscales related to mobility (bed/chair/wheel chair) and locomotion (stair). Among the secondary outcomes, significant difference was noticed in the changes in thigh circumference and the physical component summary score of health-related quality of life by Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36v2).

Conclusions: Chair stand exercise improved ADL in the hemodialysis patients aged older than 60 years.