ABSTRACT

  Background and Aim : Muscle cramp is one of the common complications of hemodialysis. Muscular contractions, called cramps, typically occurs in the lower extremities. The three most important predisposing factors are (a) hypotension, (b) low dry weight, and (c) use of low sodium dialysis solution. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of isotonic and isometric exercises on the frequency and intensity of hemodialysis induced cramps.

  Materials and Methods : This was a clinical trial study and included 35 patients who had experienced, at least one episode of muscle cramp during hemodialysis and at the interval between two dialysis. In a period of 2 weeks severity of pain due to muscular cramp before and after exercise was recorded. Then isometric and isotonic exercises, recommenced by a consultant physiotherapist, was planned and performed by the patients for 2 weeks. The same variables again were assessed for 2 weeks. Data were analyzed by means of paired T- test, wilcoxon and correlate bivariate Pearson using SPSS win soft ware.

  Results: The severity and frequency of dialysis induced muscular cramps significantly decreased during and between 2 dialyses (p<0.001). While all the patients had experienced at least one episode of muscular cramp after the exercise muscular cramps occurred with less severity during dialysis in 48.5% and at the interval between 2 dialyses in 16.1% of the subjects.