A study to assess the effectiveness of intradialytic stretching exercises on leg muscle cramp among hemo dialysis

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis is a continuous treatment that might result in problems such as hypotension, leg muscle cramps, disequilibrium syndrome, and nausea. The most effective treatment is passive stretching of the shortened muscle. Stretching has numerous health benefits, including increasing stamina, relaxing the body and mind, improving focus and concentration, and lowering the chance of injury. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to determine the severity of leg muscle cramps in Hemodialysis patients before and after intradialytic stretching exercises, to assess the effectiveness of intradialytic stretching exercises on leg muscle cramps in Hemodialysis patients, and to link the severity of leg muscle cramps with selected demographic variables following intradialytic stretching exercises. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative research approach was conducted at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital by using quasi experimental research design, the Sample size was 30 patients with leg muscle cramps undergoing Hemodialysis by using Purposive sampling technique. The muscle cramp questionnaire scale was created to determine the severity of leg muscle cramps before and after Hemodialysis. Pain Scores ranged from 0 to 10 on a numerical scale. Before the individuals were given the intradialytic stretching exercise, demographic data, clinical variables and muscle cramp status were measured as a pre-test. Then, every day after the intervention, the posttest muscle cramp was measured. RESULTS: The demographic and clinical variables data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of the patients 17(56.7%) reported no pain during the post-test. There was no correlation between the severity of leg muscle cramping and any of the demographic variables. Data were categorized and analysed using descriptive (mean, percentage, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent paired t test’, chi-square analysis). CONCLUSION: This study showed that regular stretching exercises on legs during the hemodialysis can help alleviate the leg muscle cramps.