Quantifying the dose-response relationship between exercise and health-related quality of life in patients undergoing haemodialysis: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aims to explore the dose–response relationship of aerobic exercise or aerobic combined resistance exercise on cardiopulmonary function in maintenance hemodialysis（MHD）, with the goal of aiding in the formulation of precise exercise prescriptions. A literature search up to August 18, 2023, was conducted in databases including Web of Science, among others, focusing on the effects of exercise interventions on cardiopulmonary function in hemodialysis patients.Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and an assessment of study methodology quality. A dose–response meta-analysis was carried out using a one-stage cubic spline mixed-effects model, followed by stratified analyses based on intervention period, intervention method, and exercise environment. A nonlinear dose–response relationship was observed between exercise and 6-minute walk test (6WMT) as well as peak oxygen uptake (VO2Peak) in hemodialysis patients. The optimal exercise dose for the 6WMT across the full exposure range was 922 METs-min/week, with VO2Peak increasing with the dose. The effects were influenced by the type of exercise, intervention period, and exercise environment. An exercise dose of 500 METs-min/week and 619 METs-min/week was found sufficient to achieve the minimal clinically important differences (MCID) for 6WMT and VO2Peak, respectively. There is a significant association between the dose of exercise and its effects. With appropriate adjustment of variables, even low-dose exercise can lead to clinically significant improvements in cardiopulmonary function.