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Purpose: Exercise therapy is a crucial intervention for improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing haemodialysis. However, factors that improve HRQOL by improving physical function and dialysis-related symptoms remain unknown. This study aimed to examine the physical function parameters and dialysis-related symptoms that improve HRQOL following intradialytic exercise. Methods: This multicentre cohort study included 596 patients who participated in an intradialytic exercise program three times per week for a period of 6 months, which comprised of stretching and resistance training. EuroQol 5 dimensions 5-level (EQ5D-5L), grip strength, isometric knee extension strength, 10-m walking speed, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and improvement in dialysis-related symptoms were measured at the baseline and post-intervention. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the effects of improved physical function and dialysis-related symptoms on improvements in EQ5D-5L. Results: As a physical function index affecting ΔEQ5D-5L, only SPPB showed a significant increase in ΔEQ5D-5L compared with the non-improved group [difference in ΔEQ5D-5L, 0.05 (0.004 to 0.092) point; p < 0.05]). In addition, dialysis-related symptoms with Improved physical conditions [difference in ΔEQ5D-5L, 0.07 (0.02 to 0.13) point] and an Extended walking distance [difference in ΔEQ5D-5L was 0.07 (0.01 to 0.12) point] significantly influenced ΔEQ5D-5L (p < 0.05, both). Conclusions: The improvements observed in the SPPB scores and self-percieved physical fitness and ambulation range, attributable to intradialytic exercise, may potentially improve HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intradialytic exercise is essential for improving physical function for older patients. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the effects of exercise therapy and aging. Methods: This multicenter cohort study included 1176 patients aged 40–89 years, who participated in an intradialytic exercise program, comprising stretching and resistance training, three times per week for 12 months. Isometric knee extension strength (IKES), 10‐m walking speed, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) were measured at baseline and after 12 months. The patients were divided according to age as follows: 40–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80–89 years. A linear mixed‐effects model examined the improvement within‐group and between‐control differences, as the 40–59 age group was the control group. Findings: The 40–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80–89 age groups comprised 180, 317, 466, and 213 participants, respectively. Within‐group differences, all the age groups significantly improved IKES and SPPB. The 10‐m walking speed [0.02 (0.02) m/s] and GNRI [0.38 (0.33)] did not improved only in the 80–89 age group despite other age groups significantly improved. Between‐control differences, IKES of the 70–79 age group [−0.24 (−0.42 to −0.06) %] was significantly lower improvement than control. GNRI of all the older groups were significantly smaller improvement than control (p < 0.05). Discussion: The older group demonstrated difficulty in improving walking ability and nutritional status compared with the younger groups. Clinicians need to consider the difference in effectiveness due to age and prescribe intradialytic exercises accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]