The effects of resistance training during haemodialysis on sleep quality and systemic inflammation of haemodialysis patients Abstract

Insomnia and systemic inflammation are common in end-stage of renal disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a resistance training program during haemodialysis could improve sleep quality and systemic inflammation in haemodialysis patients. This study is a cross- sectional study which was performed within a haemodialisis unit of Ghiasi Hospital. Fifteen haemodialysis patients (age= 52.2±9.4 yr, body mass index= 23.4±2.39 kg/m2) participated in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to resistance training (n=8) and control (n=7) groups. The training group participated in 8-week resistance training during dialysis (three times/ week, 60 min/ session). The intensity of the exercise program is condition level 12-16 according to the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (moderate intensity). Sleep quality [the pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)], C-reactive protein (systemic inflammatory index), and muscular fitness were measured prior to and after the intervention. Resistance training during dialysis improved the sleep quality index and muscular fitness in haemodialysis patients (p<0.05). Concurrently, C- reactive protein concentration were significantly decreased in response to resistance training (p<0.05). 8 weeks of resistance training during dialysis caused an improvement in sleep quality and muscular fitness in haemodialysis patients, and this improvement was associated with decreased C- reactive protein levels.