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Effect of Acupuncture on Functional Capacity in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Patient-Assessor Blinded
Marta Correia de Carvalho1, José Nunes de Azevedo2, Pedro Azevedo2
1ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
Insights
Acupuncture significantly improved functional capacity and muscle strength in hemodialysis patients. This safe, integrative treatment offers a promising option for enhancing quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Nephrology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Decreased functional capacity (FC) in hemodialysis (HD) patients correlates with adverse health outcomes and reduced survival.
- Acupuncture is a recognized safe and effective integrative therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate acupuncture's effect on functional capacity in chronic kidney disease GFR category 5 (CKG G5) patients undergoing HD.
Main Methods:
- A patient-assessor blinded randomized controlled trial involving 72 patients.
- Patients were assigned to experimental acupuncture, placebo, or control groups.
- Functional capacity assessed via 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT); muscle strength via Handgrip Strength Test (HGS) and 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS-30).
Main Results:
- The experimental acupuncture group showed significant improvements in walk distance (p < 0.001), lower limb strength (p < 0.001), and handgrip strength (p = 0.012) after treatment, which stabilized during follow-up.
- Placebo and control groups experienced decreased 6-MWT and STS-30 scores (p < 0.001), with no change in HGS scores (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture treatment effectively improved functional capacity and muscle strength in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- This study supports acupuncture as a beneficial intervention for enhancing physical function in CKG G5 patients on HD.
Abstract:
Decreased functional capacity (FC) in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is associated with adverse health events and poor survival. Acupuncture is recognized as a safe and effective integrative treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on the FC in chronic kidney disease with GFR category 5 (CKG G5) patients undergoing HD. In this patient-assessor blinded randomized controlled trial, seventy-two KF patients were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 24), placebo (n = 24) and control groups (n = 24). The primary outcome was the improvement in FC assessed by the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT). Secondary outcomes included assessment of peripheral muscle strength by the Handgrip Strength Test (HGS) and the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS-30) at baseline, after treatment and at 12-week follow up. A mixed ANOVA with interaction time*group was used. The experimental group increased walk distance (p < 0.001), lower limbs strength (p < 0.001) and handgrip strength (p = 0.012) after nine acupuncture sessions and stabilized in the follow-up (p > 0.05). In the placebo and control groups the 6-MWT and 30STS results decreased (p < 0.001) and the HGS scores did not change through time (p > 0.05). Acupuncture treatment improved FC and muscle strength in patients undergoing HD.
