Abstract:
Objectives:A purpose of this study was to investigate effects of home-based exercise program using a Thai–style braided rubber rope
on blood pressure (BP), muscle strength and quality of life of (QOL) in
patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
Study design:A pretest-posttest design.
Setting:Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University.
Subjects:Thirty patients on CAPD.
Methods:After training and receiving a Thai–style braided rubber rope together with a brochure and an instructional rubber rope exercise
video, all participants were asked to perform home-based exercise 3 times per week for 12 weeks. BP, hand compression and leg and back muscle force were assessed, and SF-36 health survey questionnaire was completed prior to the study as baseline and during follow-up visits at the end of 4th, 8thand 12thweek of exercise. The baseline and the follow-up data were compared and analyzed with one-way ANOVA.
Results:There were 6 males and 14 females. Mean age was 51.6 years (SD 11.8) and mean duration of CAPD was 21.5 months (SD
19.1). When comparing data between the baseline and at the end of the 4th week, systolic and diastolic BP declined significantly (p< 0.05);hand, leg and back muscle strength increased; and the SF-36 scores of social functioning, bodily pain, emotional role functioning, and vitality,and the total score, increased significantly (p= 0.030,p= 0.009,p=
0.001,p= 0.000,p= 0.003, respectively).
Conclusion:After 4 weeks of home-based exercise with a Thai-style braided rubber rope, patients on CAPD had a decline in blood
pressure, an increase in muscle strength, and a better quality of life
especially vitality and emotion function
