Intradialytic Physiotherapy in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective: To evaluate, in adult patients with chronic kidney disease, the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in the upper limbs associated with a cycle ergometer in the lower limbs, during hemodialysis, on functional capacity and peripheral muscle strength. Methods. This is a controlled, randomized, double-blind, intention-to-treat clinical trial carried out at the Cassiano Antônio Moraes University Hospital (HUCAM). Thirty individuals who will be randomly allocated to an intervention group (ie active NMES on upper limbs for 20 minutes and aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer for 30 minutes) or a control group (ie NMES-Sham on upper limbs for 20 minutes and aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer for 30 minutes). The treatment will be carried out for 8 weeks, with 3 weekly sessions totaling 24 sessions. Outcome measures will be collected by trained researchers before treatment (week 0) and at the end of treatment (week 9), always in the second hemodialysis session of the week. Functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength, activity level of daily living, quality of life, intervention safety, patient compliance, hemodialysis filtration rate (KT/V) and renal function (potassium, phosphate and magnesium clearance) will be evaluated. Impact. This study could potentially provide important information and assist in clinical decision making regarding the combined use of NMES with a cycle ergometer to optimize the clinical benefits of therapeutic exercise in patients with chronic kidney disease.