The rehab exercise "E": a natural role for renal dietitians

Quality of life and physical well-being are significant concerns in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The complications of ESRD combined with patient illness and inactivity result in deconditioning and disability. There has been a recent movement toward rehabilitation for these individuals in the past several years. The following information was presented at the Forty-eighth Annual Meeting of the National Kidney Foundation on October 25, 1998 in Philadelphia, PA. The author presents exercise programs and equipment options for use within the ESRD facility and discusses the crucial role the registered dietitian plays in such a program.