Effect of regular exercise on depression in hemodialysis patients

Depression is the most common of psychological disorder in hemodialysis patients which reduces the quality of live and increases mortality rate and complications of medications used for management of depression in these patients. This study was performed to determine the effect of regular exercise on depression in hemodialysis patients. Method & Materials: In a randomized clinical trial، 51chronic renal failure patients were assessed in two groups (case and control). The data collection tool was Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). After data collection، a planned exercise education program was applied to case group by poster and face-to-face methods. The program was performed for ten weeks and three times a week in case group. Finally، the depression of the participants was measured again. The data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS 16 software. According to the results of this study، there were no differences between case and control groups in depression rate at the beginning of study، but there was a significant difference after intervention (P= 0. 016). At first، the mean and SD of depression in case group was 23. 8±9. 29 which reduced to 11. 07±12. 64 at the end of study (P<0. 001). This study showed that a regular exercise programme can reduce depression rate in hemodialysis patients. Therefore، this exercise program can be integrated in routine care for improving the psychological state of hemodialysis patients.