Improvement and Evaluation of a Walking-breathing Exercise for Hemodialysis Patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

Abstract

This study investigated the improvement and evaluation of a walking-breathing exercise for hemodialysis patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (HD-PAD). The subjects were 12 HD-PAD patients (6 patients each in the exercise group and the control group). For the patients, we designed a walking-breathing exercise to be carried out as follows: with each step forward, as the heel lands on the ground, two quick inhalations are done, followed by one exhalation as the foot’s plantar surface touches the ground. Seventy-five days after the exercise, there were significant improvements in the ankle blood pressure (p<0.05) and ankle brachial pressure index immediately post one minute walking (Ex-ABI, p<0.05), and their recovery time (p<0.05) in the exercise group. In addition, four PAD limbs showed negative Ex-ABI tests. However, there was no significant improvement in the control group. In conclusion, the walking-breathing exercise was effective in the treatment of HD-PAD.