Evaluation of Exercise Tolerance in Dialysis Patients Performing Tai Chi Training: Preliminary Study.

Author: Dziubek W1, Bulińska K1, Kusztal M2, Kowalska J1, Rogowski Ł3, Zembroń-Łacny A4, Gołębiowski T2, Ochmann B5, Pawlaczyk W1, Klinger M2, Woźniewski M1
Affiliation:
1Department of Physiotherapy, University of Physical Education, Paderewskiego 35 Street, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland.
2Department and Clinic of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213 Street, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland.
3Non-Public Medical College of Wroclaw, Nowowiejska 69 Street, 50-340 Wroclaw, Poland.
4Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Licealna 9 Street, 65-417 Zielona Gora, Poland.
5Department of Physical Education, University of Physical Education, Paderewskiego 35 Street, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Date published: 2016
Other: Volume ID: 2016 , Pages: 5672580 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2016/5672580. Epub 2016 Jul 28. , Word Count: 187


Introduction. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have poor physical performance and exercise capacity due to frequent dialysis treatments. Tai Chi exercises can be very useful in the area of rehabilitation of people with ESRD.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess exercise capacity in ESRD patients participating in 6-month Tai Chi training. Patients and Methods. Twenty dialysis patients from Wroclaw took part in the training; at the end of the project, 14 patients remained (age 69.2 ± 8.6 years). A 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and spiroergometry were performed at the beginning and after 6 months of training.

RESULTS: After 6 months of Tai Chi, significant improvements were recorded in mean distance in the 6MWT (387.89 versus 436.36 m), rate of perceived exertion (7.4 versus 4.7), and spiroergometry (8.71 versus 10.08 min). Conclusions. In the ESRD patients taking part in Tai Chi training, a definite improvement in exercise tolerance was recorded after the 6-month training. Tai Chi exercises conducted on days without dialysis can be an effective and interesting form of rehabilitation for patients, offering them a chance for a better quality of life and fewer falls and hospitalisations that are the result of it.

PMID: 27547228 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5672580

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