Utility of whole body vibration exercise in haemodialysis patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Utility of whole body vibration exercise in haemodialysis patients: a pilot study
IRAS ID
150142
Contact name
Arthur Doyle
Contact email
Research summary
Physical activity is important to help patients in end-stage renal disease maintain and improve their physical condition and quality of life. However, engaging in physical activity of sufficient intensity and duration can be difficult to achieve and is not without risk of injury. This study will test the efficacy of whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) as a means of enabling dialysis patients to engage in physical activity in a safe environment in the renal unit whist awaiting their dialysis session. Whole body vibration exercise was developed as part of the space programme to enable astronauts to maintain their fitness and bone strength whilst in earth orbit. With WBVE the patient stands on a platform which is agitated in a sideways and upward movement to deliver a stimulus that the patient’s muscles react against. This ‘passive’ exercise differs from the more conventional ‘active’ exercise (e.g. walking, cycling, running) and has been associated with improvements in physical functioning in separate research studies. However, we do not know whether WBVE has potential benefits for dialysis patients. The exercise has been shown to be effective even when delivered in short bursts of 3 minutes. We want to test the benefits (if any) for patients undergoing WBVE of 3 minutes for 3 separate occasions each week whilst attending their dialysis sessions in hospital. We will assess patient’s functionality, muscle strength, exercise capacity, nutritional status, bone health, and quality of life before and after an 8 week period of exercise. We will repeat the assessments after a further 4 weeks of not exercising to estimate any residual effects. The study should help us to determine if it would be worthwhile to offer patients with end-stage renal disease this form of exercise to help them improve their physical health and quality of life.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
14/NS/1010
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion