- Design
- Cluster-randomised controlled trial, 12 weeks
- Population
- 56 haemodialysis patients with possible or confirmed sarcopenia
- Primary outcome
- Muscle mass index, grip strength, gait speed, SPPB
- Effect
- Favourable trends, not significant after Bonferroni correction; no serious adverse events
A cluster-randomised trial allocated 56 haemodialysis patients with possible or confirmed sarcopenia, by dialysis schedule, to a 12-week nurse-led multicomponent exercise programme plus usual care or usual care alone; 50 completed it.
The exercise group showed favourable trends in grip strength, gait speed and the Short Physical Performance Battery, with moderate-to-large effect sizes, but these were not statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Muscle mass, quality of life and CRP did not differ. There were no serious adverse events.
The trial was small and short, and the abstract does not give effect estimates.
It adds to evidence that structured exercise in dialysis units is feasible and safe when nurse-led, which matters where physiotherapy access is limited.
- Consider structured exercise for haemodialysis patients with sarcopenia.
- Consider using regular dialysis visits to deliver supervised activity.
- Measure grip strength and gait speed to identify sarcopenia.
- Expect function rather than muscle mass to change first.
Why it matters
Sarcopenia is common on dialysis, and a safe, nurse-delivered model could reach patients without physiotherapy access.
Don't overread it
No outcome was statistically significant after correction; the trends need a larger trial.
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