Factors Influencing Discontinuation of Exercise Therapy During Hemodialysis

Various exercise therapy methods have been devised for dialysis patients. Nonetheless, even the best exercise regimen is ineffective if not sustained. This study aims to determine the dropout rate and factors influencing exercise therapy discontinuation during dialysis.

This observational, retrospective, and descriptive study included 31 people who underwent exercise therapy during hemodialysis sessions between April 2015 and March 2018 at a hospital. The mean age of the participants was 59.29±11.12 years (range 36–78 years), and the male/female ratio was 24/7. The participants were divided into two groups, the continuation group (15 patients who continued exercise) and the discontinuation group (16 patients who discontinued exercise). Data on physical function history (knee extension muscle strength, one-leg standing time (OLS), and 6-minute walking distance (6 MD)) were collected from medical records. All participants were interviewed using a questionnaire on factors involved in exercise discontinuation from April 2018 to March 2022.

About half of the participants dropped out (51.6%). In particular, the results suggested that body pain was strongly associated with exercise discontinuation. In addition, 8 participants in the discontinuation group died during follow-up after exercise discontinuation (50%).

The study results suggest that it is essential to increase self-efficacy and satisfaction by devising exercise content that meets the individual’s wishes to prevent dropouts during dialysis. In addition, measures against body pain are crucial to continue exercising. The relationship between exercise discontinuation during hemodialysis and mortality should be further examined.