Daaboul M1, Lattouf N1, Breidy P1, Akawi R1
1Saint Joseph University, Physiotherapy Institute, Beirut, Lebanon
Background: Hemodialysis has multiple side effects on the human body such as hypertension, deterioration of physical function and emotional disorders. Physical activity and therapeutic exercises have been shown to significantly reduce the comorbidities associated with hemodialysis and improve the physical condition of patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the comorbidities, assess activity levels and perception of exercise of patients undergoing hemodialysis as well as, explore the prevalence of Lebanese physiotherapists receiving orders for patients on hemodialysis, and the prevalence of referrals for physiotherapy from Lebanese nephrologists for patients on hemodialysis.
Methods: 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis were asked to complete a face-to-face questionnaire, 60 physiotherapists and 8 nephrologists were asked to complete a paper-and-pencil questionnaire.
Pearson's Chi-square tests and Fisher Exact tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: 100 participants completed the survey. The average age was 62.39 ( ± 15.42). Ninety one percent of the participants experienced side effects related to hemodialysis; 70.3% experienced hypertension, Sixty two percent reported no physical activity due to fatigue , 4.8% reported a lack of interest in exercise and 19.4% reported a lack of time for exercise. None of the patients underwent intradialytic exercise.
Thirteen percent of the physiotherapists (n=60) had received information on the application and effects of therapeutic exercises in hemodialysis patients during their university studies or during internships. Seventy-three percent desire to attend training courses related to the rehabilitation of hemodialysis patients.
12.5% (n=1) of the nephrologists prescribes physiotherapy sessions, although all of them perceived such exercises as beneficial.
Conclusion(s): Our findings support previous research regarding prevalence of comorbidities related to hemodialysis. All of the comorbidities related to hemodialysis found in the literature are present in the patients of our study, hence the need for physiotherapy treatment. One of the reasons that physiotherapy is not prescribed by nephrologists is that it is not covered by insurance.
Implications: Rehabilitation of patients undergoing hemodialysis should be added to the physiotherapy entry-level curriculum.
Keywords: Hemodialysis, Exercise, Physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was needed for this study
Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the comorbidities, assess activity levels and perception of exercise of patients undergoing hemodialysis as well as, explore the prevalence of Lebanese physiotherapists receiving orders for patients on hemodialysis, and the prevalence of referrals for physiotherapy from Lebanese nephrologists for patients on hemodialysis.
Methods: 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis were asked to complete a face-to-face questionnaire, 60 physiotherapists and 8 nephrologists were asked to complete a paper-and-pencil questionnaire.
Pearson's Chi-square tests and Fisher Exact tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: 100 participants completed the survey. The average age was 62.39 ( ± 15.42). Ninety one percent of the participants experienced side effects related to hemodialysis; 70.3% experienced hypertension, Sixty two percent reported no physical activity due to fatigue , 4.8% reported a lack of interest in exercise and 19.4% reported a lack of time for exercise. None of the patients underwent intradialytic exercise.
Thirteen percent of the physiotherapists (n=60) had received information on the application and effects of therapeutic exercises in hemodialysis patients during their university studies or during internships. Seventy-three percent desire to attend training courses related to the rehabilitation of hemodialysis patients.
12.5% (n=1) of the nephrologists prescribes physiotherapy sessions, although all of them perceived such exercises as beneficial.
Conclusion(s): Our findings support previous research regarding prevalence of comorbidities related to hemodialysis. All of the comorbidities related to hemodialysis found in the literature are present in the patients of our study, hence the need for physiotherapy treatment. One of the reasons that physiotherapy is not prescribed by nephrologists is that it is not covered by insurance.
Implications: Rehabilitation of patients undergoing hemodialysis should be added to the physiotherapy entry-level curriculum.
Keywords: Hemodialysis, Exercise, Physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was needed for this study
Topic: Professional practice: other
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: SAINT-JOSEPH UNIVERSITY
Ethics committee: Medical Ethical Committee of Saint-Joseph University
Ethics number: CEHDF 1151
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
