Efficacy of neuromuscular electrostimulation intervention to improve physical function in haemodialysis patients

Haemodialysis (HD) patients are characterised by muscle wasting, decreased physical function and poor quality of life. The objective was to analyse the effect of an intradialysis NMES training programme in muscular strength, functional capacity and quality of life in our HD patients.

HD patients were assigned to NMES (ESG) or control group (CG) in a 12-week single-centre prospective study. Transversal quadriceps muscular area, maximum length quadriceps strength (MLQS), handgrip, sit-to-stand-to-sit 10 test (STS10), "6-min walking test" (6MWT); EuroQol-5D health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) questionnaire, subjective global assessment (SGA) and NMES symptoms questionnaires (SQ) were completed.

Thirty-eight patients (54 % men). Mean age 69.7 years. 32.1 months on HD, 23 ESG and 15 in CG. In contrast with CG, ESG significantly (*p < 0.05) improved MLQS* (10.2 6.7 vs. 13.1 8.1 kg), STS10* (41 18.7 vs. 37.2 23.9 s), 6MWT* (12 %, 280.5 vs. 312.4 m) and EQ-5D score* (52.7 vs. 65.5) at the end of the study. However, lower SQ score* (8.5 vs. 5.8 sympt./patient) in ESG was observed, mainly due to muscular pain* (2.2 vs. 1.2), cramps* (1.6 vs. 1.2), numbness* (1.7 vs. 1.1) or stinging* (1.5 vs. 1.1). In ESG, 44 and 72 % referred better wellness sensation and physical condition in SGA, respectively.

Intradialytic NMES of both quadriceps improved muscular strength, functional capacity and quality of life in our HD patients. With the obtained results, NMES constitutes a novel therapeutic alternative to improve the deteriorated physical condition and quality of life of these patients.