Effects of 12 months of detraining on health-related quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy

Purpose Limited data exist regarding the effects of detraining on functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in the hemodialysis population. The aim of the current study was to assess whether the discontinuation from a systematic intradialytic exercise training program will affect aspects of health-related QoL and functional capacity in hemodialysis patients. Methods Seventeen hemodialysis patients (12 Males/5 Females, age 60.8 ± 13.6 year) participated in this study. Patients were assessed for functional capacity using various functional capacity tests while QoL, daily sleepiness, sleep quality, depression and fatigue were assessed using validated questionnaires at the end of a 12-month aerobic exercise program and after 12 months of detraining. Results The detraining significantly reduced patients’ QoL score by 20% ( P = 0.01). More affected were aspects related to the physical component summary of the QoL ( P