The role of diabetes mellitus in the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise intervention on patients' muscle function.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to identify the role of diabetes mellitus in the effectiveness of intradialytic exercise intervention among haemodialysis patients.

METHODS

In this multicentre study 90 dialysed patients were allocated to the experimental (EXG, n=57) or control group (CNG, n=33). In EXG, we included 20 diabetic and 37 non-diabetic patients. In CNG, we enrolled 8 diabetic and 25 non-diabetic patients. EXG underwent a 12-week supervised, progressive, intradialytic resistance training programme, while CNG stayed inactive during dialysis. Baseline, post-interventional and post-follow-up assessments of maximal force during hip extension (HE), hip flexion (HF) and knee extension (KE) contractions were completed in both groups of patients.

RESULTS

HE increased in diabetic and non-diabetic EXG patients (diabetic EXG, change: +14.5N; 95% CI=-5.5 to +34.5; non-diabetic EXG, +18.6N; 95% CI=+3.4 to +33.8) and diabetic CNG patients (change: +17.9N; 95% CI=-9.2 to +44.9). Only non-diabetic CNG patients experienced a decrease in HE (change: -22.8N; 95% CI=-36.9 to -8.7, P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Resistance training improved muscle function among dialysis patients regardless of the presence of diabetes mellitus. We found that non-diabetic patients lose their muscle function extensively during inactivity, while diabetic patients retain their muscle function.