Association between the transtheoretical model approach and sustained intradialytic pedaling exercise: A retrospective cohort study

The transtheoretical model (TTM) is a promising approach to the promotion of behavior change, but it remains to be established whether there is an association between the TTM approach and intradialytic exercise among patients on hemodialysis (HD) with low motivation to exercise in a real-world setting. This retrospective cohort study, conducted in a regional hospital in Japan, included adult outpatients receiving HD 3 times per week who had never participated in intradialytic pedaling exercise despite the encouragement of the HD personnel. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to HD weekday. Patients undergoing HD on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday were encouraged by the HD unit team to exercise during HD based on the TTM (exposure group) and those receiving HD on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were encouraged to exercise as usual (control group). The primary outcome was sustained intradialytic exercise using a leg ergometer, defined as a total of 72 sessions of 30-minute pedaling exercise (duration of at least 6 months). Overall, 85 patients were included in the analysis (mean age: 67.1 ± 11.9 years, 22% female). Of 33 patients in the exposure group, 10 (30%) maintained intradialytic exercise, compared with 2 of 52 patients (4%) in the control group. Log-binomial regression models with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting showed a significant association between the TTM approach and sustained intradialytic exercise (adjusted risk ratio 9.23 [95% confidence interval 2.13–40.00]). There were no exercise-related cardiovascular events. Among patients with low motivation to exercise during HD, use of the TTM approach in clinical practice was associated with sustained intradialytic exercise compared with usual care.