Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud

Background: Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience reduced muscle strength and diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and engaging in regular exercise may improve them. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intradialytic exercise using non-immersive virtual reality (VR) on body composition of patients with CKD on hemodialysis (HD). Methods: This was a substudy in a clinical trial of intradialytic exercise intervention using a non-immersive VR game in which the patient interacted by moving the lower limbs. Body composition was determined by BCM Fresenius multifrequency stereoscopic bioimpedance. Body mass index (BMI), fat tissue index (FTI), lean tissue index (LTI), extracellular/intracellular water (EIW), and phase angle (PA) were recorded in 52 patients, 24 in the control group (CG) and 28 in the exercise group (EG). Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between both groups. The LTI increased in the EG while it decreased in the CG. The FTI and the EIW decreased in the EG compared to the increase observed in the CG. Conclusions: Intradialytic exercise using non-immersive VR was associated with an increase in LTI and a decrease in FTI of CKD patients on HD.

Background: Malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle, cognitive dysfunction and poor psychological well-being are often reported in patients on haemodialysis (HD). Aims: We aimed to explore needs, barriers and facilitators—as perceived by patients, their carers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) for increasing the adherence to the diet, to physical activity and cognition and psychological well-being. Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study following the STROBE statement. This study is part of an ERASMUS+ project, GoodRENal—aiming to develop digital tools as an educational approach to patients on HD. For that, the GoodRENal comprises HD centers located in four Belgium, Greece, Spain and Sweden. Exploratory questionnaires were developed regarding the perceived needs, barriers and facilitators regarding the diet, physical activity, cognition and psychological well-being from the perspective of patients, their carers and HCPs. Results: In total, 38 patients, 34 carers and 38 HCPs were included. Nutrition: For patients and carers, the main needs to adhere to the diet included learning more about nutrients and minerals. For patients, the main barrier was not being able to eat what they like. Physical activity: As needs it was reported information about type of appropriate physical activity, while fatigue was listed as the main barrier. For Cognitive and emotional state, it was perceived as positive for patients and carers perception but not for HCPs. The HCPs identified as needs working as a team, having access to specialised HCP and being able to talk to patients in private. Conclusions: Patients and their carers listed as needs guidance regarding nutrition and physical activity but were positive with their cognitive and emotional state. The HCPs corroborated these needs and emphasised the importance of teamwork and expert support.

Accurate evaluation of physical function in patients undergoing haemodialysis is crucial in the analysis of the impact of exercise programs in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of several physical functional tests, depending on the timing of their implementation (before the HD session vs. non-HD days). This is a prospective, non-experimental, descriptive study. Thirty patients in haemodialysis were evaluated twice, 1 week apart. The test session was performed before the haemodialysis session started and a retest was performed in non-dialysis day. The testing battery included the short physical performance battery, sit-to-stand tests, 6 min walk test, one-leg stand test, timed up and go, and handgrip strength with and without forearm support. The intrarater reproducibility was determined by the intraclass correlation coefficients and the agreement was assessed by Bland–Altman analysis. The intraclass correlation coefficients values ranged from 0.86 to 0.96, so that all tests showed good to very good relative reliability. The mean differences between trials of sit to stand 10 and 60, timed up and go and all the handgrip tests were close to zero, indicating no systematic differences between trials. Large range of values between trials was observed for the 6 min walk test, gait speed, one-leg stand test and short physical performance battery, indicating a systematic bias for these four tests. In conclusion, the sit to stand 10 and 60, timed up and go and handgrip tests had good to excellent test–retest reliability in measuring physical function in different dialysis days of patients undertaking haemodialysis. The minimal detectable change values are provided for this population. Bias were found for the 6 min walk test, gait speed, Short physical performance battery or one-leg stand test when the testing day changed.

Introducción: Uno de los factores contribuyentes en la cronificación de la migra˜na son los trastornos del sue˜no que pueden actuar como un factor precipitante y/o perpetuador en estos sujetos. El objetivo primario de este estudio fue identificar los factores predictores relacionados con la calidad del sue˜no en pacientes con migra˜na crónica (MC) y el objetivo secundario fue identificar si existían diferencias en variables psicológicas y de discapacidad entre los pacientes con MC que presentaban menor o mayor calidad del sue˜no. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional, transversal, formado por 50 participantes con MC. Se registraron una serie de variables demográficas, psicológicas y de discapacidad mediante cuestionarios de autorregistro. Resultados: Se observaron correlaciones directas, moderadas-fuertes, entre las diferentes variables de discapacidad y psicológicas analizadas (p < 0,05). En la regresión, se estableció como variable criterio la calidad del sue˜no y las variables predictores fueron los síntomas depresivos, la discapacidad relacionada con la cefalea y el catastrofismo ante el dolor que, en conjunto, explican el 33% de la varianza. En cuanto a la comparación de los grupos de mayor y menor afectación del sue˜no, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la variable de síntomas depresivos (p = 0,016) y catastrofismo ante el dolor (p = 0,036). Conclusiones: Los factores predictores de la calidad del sue˜no en pacientes con MC fueronlos síntomas depresivos, la discapacidad relacionada con la cefalea y, en menor medida, elcatastrofismo ante el dolor. Los sujetos con peor calidad de sue˜no presentaron mayores nivelesde catastrofismo ante el dolor y síntomas depresivos.

Chronic dialysis patients have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection-related complications. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) and physical activity levels of patients undertaking hemodialysis (HD). This was an observational study that compared data from two periods of time, before the COVID-19 pandemic vs pandemic. We used the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form (SF-36) to measure the HRQoL and the Human Activity Profile (HAP) questionnaire was used to measure the physical activity. Data were analyzed with a mixed ordinal linear regression. A total of 27 eligible participants were interviewed during COVID-19 pandemic (median age 78 years). The linear regression model showed that the pandemic, after controlling for the covariates age, comorbidity, albumin, and hemoglobin, had a significant impact on the HRQoL. Physical function (􀀀15.7) and social functioning subscales (􀀀28.0) worsened (p = 0.001), and the physical component scale also showed a significant decrease (􀀀3.6; p = 0.05). Time had a significant impact on the Human Activity Profile, with an average activity score diminished with the pandemic (􀀀13.9; p = 0.003). The COVID-19 pandemic had a very negative impact on HRQoL and physical activity level of subjects undertaking hemodialysis. Interventions to improve HRQoL and activity levels of patients undertaking HD are recommended.

Background: Engagement in exercise by haemodialysis (HD) patients has been shown to generate benefits both in terms of improved functional capacity and in the health-related quality of life. The use of non-immersive virtual reality (VR) games represents a new format for the implementation of intradialysis exercise. Some studies have shown that engaging in exercise for 6 months reduces the consumption of antihypertensive drugs and decreases the time spent admitted to hospital among individuals receiving HD treatments. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the consumption of healthcare resources and micro-costing for patients on HD who completed a VR exercise program. Materials and methods: Design: This study is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial. The participants performed an intradialysis exercise program with non-immersive virtual reality for 3 months. The variables were recorded in two periods: 12 months before and 12 months after the start of the exercise program. Results: The micro-costing analysis showed a significant decrease in the mean cost, in euros, for the consumption of laboratory tests − 330 (95% CI:[− 533, − 126];p = 0.003), outpatient visits − 351 ([− 566, − 135];p = 0.003), and radiology tests − 111 ([− 209, − 10];p = 0.03) in the 12 months after the implementation of the exercise program relative to the 12 months prior to its start. Conclusion: The implementation of intradialysis exercise programs decreased the expenditure of some healthcare resources. Future studies could help clarify if longer interventions would have a stronger impact on these cost reductions.

Background: Exercise improves the physical function of people suffering from chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis (HD). Virtual reality is a new type of intradialysis exercise that has a positive impact on physical function. Intradialysis exercise is recommended during the first 2 h, but its safety in the last part of the dialysis session is unknown. Methods: This was a pilot sub-study of a clinical trial. Several hemodynamic control variables were recorded, including blood pressure, heart rate, and intradialytic hypotensive events. These variables were recorded during three different HD sessions, one HD session at rest, another HD session with exercise during the first two hours, and one HD session with exercise during the last 30 min of dialysis. The intradialysis virtual reality exercise was performed for a maximum of 30 min. Results: During exercise sessions, there was a significant increase in heart rate (6.65 (4.92, 8.39) bpm; p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (6.25 (0.04,12.47) mmHg; p < 0.05). There was no difference in hemodynamic control between the sessions with exercise during the first two hours and the sessions with exercise during the last 30 min. There was no association between intra-dialytic hypotensive events at rest (five events) or exercise at any point (two vs. one event(s), respectively). Conclusion: performing exercise with virtual reality at the end of a hemodialysis session is not associated with hemodynamic instability.

The purpose of this study is to assess whether the functional capacity of patients with chronic kidney disease stage V (CKD- 5D) is different depending on their physical activity levels. We also compared functional capacity, quality of life, and symptoms of depression depending on treatment modalities (HD vs. PD). A Cross-sectional study included 52 patients (35HD and 17PD; males 61.5%, mean age 71 years). The main measurements were physical activity level using the Human Activity Profile questionnaire (HAP), muscle strength, functional capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and depressive symptomatology. The functional tests and physical activity levels correlated significantly. Participants on HD with low physical activity levels were older (*p ≤ .039) and had worst physical function (*p ≤ .01). The HAP is a useful tool to detect subjects with low functional capacity; there were no differences between the therapy modalities in terms of functional capacity, HRQoL, or depressive symptomatology.

Improving the health status of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through physical activity (PA) or exercise interventions is challenging. One of the gaps in the process of translating the general public PA activity guidelines as well as the CKD-specific guidelines into routine clinical practice is the lack of systematic recording and monitoring of PA and physical function attributes, which can also be used to develop individualized and measurable plans of action to promote PA for health. We aim to present an overview of key considerations for PA, physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation in people with CKD, with the aim of encouraging health professionals to integrate assessment of these outcomes in routine practices. Physical inactivity and impaired physical function, sometimes to the extent of physical and social disability levels, and subsequently lower perceived HRQoL, are highly prevalent in this population. Enhanced PA is associated with better physical function that also translates into multiple health benefits. Breaking the vicious circle of inactivity and physical dysfunction as early as possible in the disease trajectory may confer huge benefits and enhanced life satisfaction in the longer term. With this in mind, the importance of PA/exercise interventions in CKD to improve HRQoL is also summarized.

Introducción: Cada vez es más frecuente la literatura que nos muestra los beneficios de los programas de ejercicio físico para mejorar la capacidad funcional y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica. Sin embargo, la implementación de estos programas no es una tarea fácil. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de un programa de ejercicio físico domiciliario sobre la fuerza de agarre de las manos, capacidad funcional y calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada en estadíos 4-5. Material y Método: Estudio prospectivo experimental. Los pacientes realizaron un programa completo de ejercicio domiciliario de 3 sesiones semanales durante 12 semanas. Principales datos analizados: dinamometría manual (HG) y la prueba Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) y calidad de vida mediante el Euroqol 5D. Resultados: 62 pacientes incluidos. 34 eran hombres con una edad media 67,4±14,9 años. La velocidad de la marcha en 4 metros aumentó en 0,18 m/s (IC95%: 0,08-0,28). Los resultados del SPPB aumentaron en 1,4 puntos (IC95%: 0,6-2,2 puntos). No se observan cambios significativos ni en la dinamometría manual (de 26,1Kg a 26,4Kg) ni en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (de 67,8 a 71,3 puntos). Conclusión: Un programa de ejercicio físico domiciliario de 12 semanas de duración fue seguro y mejoró la capacidad funcional de los pacientes en enfermedad renal crónica avanzada en estadíos 4-5. / Introduction: Scientific evidence is greater on the benefits of physical exercise programs to improve functional capacity and health-related quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease. However, implementing these programs is not an easy task. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home physical exercise program on hand grip strength, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease in stages 4-5. Material and Method: Prospective experimental study. The patients performed a complete home exercise program of 3 weekly sessions for 12 weeks. The main data analyzed were manual dynamometry, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test, and the EuroQoL 5D questionnaire to assess quality of life. Results: Sixty-two patients were included, 34 men and with a mean age of 67.4±14.9 years. The 4-meter gait speed increased by 0.18 m/s (95%CI: 0.08-0.28). The SPPB results increased by 1.4 points (95%CI: 0.6-2.2 points). No significant changes were observed either in manual dynamometry (from 26.1 to 26.4Kg) or in health-related quality of life (from 67.8 to 71.3 points). Conclusion: A 12-week home physical exercise program was safe and improved the functional capacity of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease in stages 4-5.