Effects of intradialytic resistance exercise on systemic inflammation in maintenance hemodialysis patients with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intradialytic resistance exercise on inflammation markers and sarcopenia indices in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: Forty-one MHD patients with sarcopenia were divided into an intervention group (group E, n = 21) and a control group (group C, n = 20). Group C patients only received routine hemodialysis care, whereas group E patients received progressive intradialytic resistance exercise with high or moderate intensity for 12 weeks at three times per week (using the weight of the lower limbs and elastic ball movement of the upper limb) on the basis of routine hemodialysis care. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, a significant difference in physical activity status (maximum grip strength, daily pace, and physical activity level), Kt/V, and C-reactive protein was found between groups E and C. Inflammatory factors (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α) increased or decreased more significantly in group E than in group C. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that intradialytic resistance exercise can improve physical activity effectively and reduce microinflammatory reactions even if this simple exercise does not affect the muscle mass in MHD patients with sarcopenia.