Effect of Intradialytic Exercises on Muscle Cramps and Fatigue among Children Undergoing Hemodialysis

Sayed, Yahia Mohamed; Mohamed, Shaima Shaban; Abu-Elenen, Nagwa Rizk Mohammed

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.464042

Effect of Intradialytic Exercises on Muscle Cramps and Fatigue among Children Undergoing Hemodialysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt.

² Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt.

³ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port-Said University, Port-Said, Egypt, Dean of Gouna Technical Nursing Institute, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2025.464042

Abstract

Background: Children undergoing hemodialysis often suffer from negative effects such as muscle cramps, arrhythmias, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and fatigue. Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of intradialytic exercises on muscle cramps and fatigue among children undergoing hemodialysis. Research design: This research was conducted using one group (pre-posttest) quasi-experimental research design. Setting: This research was conducted in the pediatric hemodialysis units at Minia University Hospital for obstetric and pediatrics (MUHOP). Sample: A Convenience sample included all the available children (55) with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Research tools: There were two tools used. Tool I: A Structured interview questionnaire. Part I: Bio-demographic data of children. Part II: Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Tool II: Muscle cramps questionnaire. Results: The study findings indicated that nearly three quarters of the studied children experienced severe fatigue before intradialytic exercises, whereas most of them reported mild fatigue after these exercises, showing highly statistically significant differences. Conversely, more than half of children experienced severe muscle cramp pre-intradialytic exercises compared to None of them in post-intradialytic exercises. Conclusion: Intradialytic exercises had a positive effect on reducing fatigue level and muscle cramp severity among hemodialysis children with statistically significant differences between pre and post intradialytic exercises. Recommendations: Intradialytic exercises can be adapted as a standard practice for children receiving hemodialysis