Scientists looked at 89 studies involving over 6,000 dialysis patients to find the best ways to help them build muscle and stay strong. They found that combining cardio and weight training exercises worked really well - patients could walk about 170 feet farther in 6 minutes after training. Multi-type exercise programs were even better for building grip strength, adding about 20 pounds of squeezing power. Protein supplements also helped patients gain lean muscle mass. This is important because dialysis patients often lose muscle, which can be dangerous for their health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well different types of exercise and protein supplements help dialysis patients build muscle and get stronger
  • Who participated: 6,128 people receiving hemodialysis treatment from 89 different research studies
  • Key finding: Combining cardio and weight training helped patients walk 170 feet farther in 6 minutes, while multi-type exercise programs increased grip strength by about 20 pounds
  • What it means for you: If you’re on dialysis, doing mixed exercise programs and taking protein supplements may help you stay stronger and healthier, but talk to your doctor first

The Research Details

This was a network meta-analysis, which means researchers gathered data from 89 separate studies that tested different exercise and nutrition approaches in dialysis patients. They combined all the results to get a bigger picture of what works best. The studies included 6,128 people total and looked at 26 different types of interventions, from simple walking programs to complex multi-exercise routines and various protein supplements.

By combining many studies, researchers can spot patterns that might not show up in smaller individual studies. This gives us more confidence in the results and helps doctors make better recommendations for their patients.

The researchers only included randomized controlled trials, which are considered the gold standard for medical research. However, they noted that larger, higher-quality studies are still needed to strengthen these conclusions.

What the Results Show

The study found that combining aerobic exercise (like walking or cycling) with resistance exercise (like weight lifting) significantly improved how far patients could walk in 6 minutes - an average of 170 feet farther. Multi-modality exercise programs, which include several different types of activities, were even better for building grip strength, increasing it by about 20 pounds on average. These multi-type programs also showed promise for being better than simple cardio-plus-weights combinations for overall muscle function. Protein supplements helped patients gain lean muscle mass, with an average increase of about 0.7 pounds.

The research also looked at quality of life measures and found improvements in patients who participated in exercise programs. Different types of protein supplements were tested, with oral protein supplements showing the clearest benefits for muscle mass.

This study confirms what previous research has suggested about exercise helping dialysis patients, but provides clearer guidance on which combinations work best. The finding that multi-modality exercise might be superior to simple cardio-plus-weights is relatively new and needs more study.

The studies included in this analysis varied in their methods and quality. Some were small, and the types of exercise programs weren’t always described in detail. The researchers also noted that more large-scale, high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, dialysis patients may benefit from exercise programs that combine cardio and weight training, with multi-type exercise programs potentially being even better. Protein supplements appear helpful for maintaining muscle mass. However, any exercise or supplement program should be approved by your healthcare team first.

This research is most relevant for people receiving hemodialysis treatment and their healthcare providers. People with kidney disease not yet on dialysis might also benefit, but should discuss this with their doctors.

The studies in this analysis typically lasted several months, so patients might expect to see improvements in strength and walking ability over a period of 3-6 months with consistent exercise.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your 6-minute walk distance monthly and grip strength weekly to monitor improvements from exercise programs
  • Start with 10-15 minutes of combined cardio and light resistance exercises 3 times per week, gradually increasing as tolerated
  • Log exercise sessions, protein intake, and energy levels daily to identify patterns and track progress over time

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. People with kidney disease should consult their healthcare provider before starting any exercise program or taking supplements, as individual needs and safety considerations vary.