The effect of exercising with manual compression foot pumps, on dialysis efficiency, in patients with end stage renal disease

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to establish if exercising with manual compressionfoot-pumps, could be used as an intervention to improve dialysis efficacy. A  pre test -post test design was used to test the intervention. Subjects were invited to participate in the study depending on whether they fitted the eligibility criteria of the study. Eight weeks after entry into the study pre-test values of dialysis efficacy (Kt/V ) were established prior to the implementation of an eight-week exercise programme followed by the collection of post intervention dialysis efficacy values. Subjects performed seated heel raises with manual compression foot-pumps on their feet (Venous A nti-stasis Slippers) for 20 continuous minutes per hour for the first three hours of their dialysis sessions (two or three times per week). Twelve subjects finished the programme. During the eight weeks of exercise an increaseof 8.7% was noted in Kt/V  values with a mean change of 0.12 (p=0.04). It appears that an eight week exercise programme using manual compression foot pumps (Venous A nti-stasis Slippers) may be effective in improving dialysisefficiency. These findings need to be tested in a study with an appropriate sample size.