Comparison of the Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Training on Quality of Life of Hemodialysis Patients

Aims: Hemodialysis treatment affects the long-term life of the patients. Therefore, most hemodialysis patients have an inactive lifestyle. Inactivity is associated with a high risk of poor quality of life, hospitalization, and mortality among dialysis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effect of aerobic and resistance training on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 64 hemodialysis patients of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Yasuj who were eligible to participate in the study were selected by convenience sampling method. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups (aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and control group). Patients in the aerobic exercise group were provided fixed bicycle aerobic exercise for 8 weeks during hemodialysis, and the subjects in the resistance exercise group were provided resistance training by stretches and dumbbells. The control group did not receive any intervention. A demographic questionnaire, Kidney Disease Quality Of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF) was used immediately before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 through a one-way analysis of variance. Findings: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of the public quality of life (p=0.8) and specific quality of life (p=0.2) between the experimental and control groups, before the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference in the public and specific quality of life (p=0.001) between the aerobic and resistance training groups with the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the public and specific quality of life between the aerobic and resistance exercise groups (p 0.05). Conclusion: Both types of aerobic and resistance exercises can be done by the individual as complementary and practical, effective, affordable, and available therapy. Therefore, it is suggested to provide interventions in the educational program for patients undergoing hemodialysis by the health team members.