A Current State of the Art and Science of Exercise in Dialysis: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Purpose of the review: The purpose of the review is to discuss current proven benefits and problems of integrating exercise in the care of people receiving dialysis by reviewing literature from the last few years and identifying important questions that still need to be asked and answered. Methods: A focused review and appraisal of the literature were done. Original peer-reviewed articles, review articles, opinion pieces and guidelines were identified from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Only sources in English were accessed. Search terms “exercise” and “dialysis” were used to find active recruiting randomized trials in various clinical trial registry platforms. Key findings: Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of exercise training in individuals receiving dialysis, limited by factors such as short duration of follow-up and inconsistent adverse event reporting and outcomes selected. Notable gaps in exercise research in dialysis include ways to maintain programs and patient motivation, studies in peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis patients, and how best to define and measure outcomes of interest. Implications: This review summarizes the current state of exercise in people receiving dialysis and serves as a call to action to conduct large, randomized controlled trials to improve the quality of evidence needed to implement and sustain innovative, exercise interventions, and programs for this population.