Background/Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a six-month physical training undertaken by haemodialysis (HD) patients, on the depression and anxiety. Methods: Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) were recruited from the dialysis station at the Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine in Wroclaw. Physical training took place at the beginning of the first 4-hours of dialysis, three times a week for six months. A personal questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used in the study. Results: A total of 28 patients completed the study: 20 were randomised to endurance training and 8 were randomised to resistance training. Statistical analysis of depression and anxiety at the initial (t1) and final examination (t2) indicated a significant reduction in depression and anxiety, particularly anxiety as a trait (X2) in the whole study group. The change in anxiety as a state correlated with the disease duration, duration of dialysis and the initial level of anxiety as a state (t1X1). The change in anxiety as a trait significantly correlated with age and the initial level of anxiety (t1X2). Conclusions: Undertaking physical training during dialysis by patients with ESRD is beneficial in reducing their levels of anxiety and depression. Both resistance and endurance training improves mood, but only endurance training additionally results in anxiety reduction.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of individuals with a stroke are unable to return to work, although figures vary greatly. Due to the very high cost of post-stroke care, both tangible and intangible, in the form of long-term social consequences, it see

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can significantly influence a patient’s nutritional status, leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated with an increase in morbidity and hospital admissions, as well as a decrease in functional status. All these factors impact emotional, physical, and psychosocial health, leading to a lower quality of life (QOL). The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status and QOL in patients with CKD compared to patients after kidney transplantation and determine what factors influence nutritional status and QOL in this patient population. Methods: The study included 167 patients: 39 pre-dialysis patients—group 1; 65 dialysis patients—group 2; 63 kidney transplant patients—group 3. Patients completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life questionnaire (KDQoL) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire (MNA). Results: A comparative analysis of the QOL of patients in the three study groups showed no statistically significant differences in the overall KDQoL scores. Factors that affected quality of life included the designated group, determined by disease status, MNA score, patient age, and WHR. Nearly 1/3 of patients from groups 2 and 3 were at risk of malnutrition. Conclusions: A systematic assessment of nutritional status and monitoring of QOL should be integrated into the standard management guidelines for CKD patients.

Due to the chronic character of multiple sclerosis (MS), non-pharmacological treatment can be applied. These therapies can be a good complementation to standard pharmacological treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) and physical exercise training on the psychological and general well-being of patients with MS. The study was carried out on 60 patients, who were divided into 3 groups: cryotherapy (Cryo), physical exercise training (Gym) and cryotherapy with physical exercise training (CryoGym). The Psychological General Well-Being Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Rivermead Mobility Index were used at 2 points in time: T1 - before the first therapy session and T2 - after 14 days of therapy. Statistically significant differences in the psychosocial well-being were found in the Gym and CryoGym group. Reduction of depressive symptoms and improved functional status was noted in Cryo group. The most significant improvement was observed in the group using WBC with exercise training (CryoGym). Whole-body cryotherapy with physical exercise training was an effective therapy for patients with MS. The introduction of WBC into the standard physiotherapy protocol for patients with MS is fully justified.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early 3-week cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in terms of the reduction of negative psychological symptoms, and to determine which factors predispose patients to worse rehabilitation results in this regard. The study involved a random group of 50 patients (11 women and 39 men) who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting, with a mean age of 63.3 (±7.2) years. The following screening tests were used: Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Acceptance of Illness Scale. The pulse rate during the first session of physical training was recorded (t₁ P), and after training the patients assessed their level of exertion (t₁ E) on the Borg Scale (BS). The same procedure was repeated at the end of the rehabilitation (t₂ P, t₂ E). Among the psychological parameters examined at t₁ (at baseline), the strongest relationship with poor acceptance of illness after 3 weeks of rehabilitation was indicated by the level of depression (P < 0.001), with a slightly lower correlation with the state anxiety and the trait anxiety results (P = 0.005 and 0.027, respectively). A relationship was also found between the severity of depression in t₁ and the level of exertion measured by the BS at the end of rehabilitation (P = 0.007). Before rehabilitation, depressed patients exhibited higher levels of both trait and state anxiety (P = 0.009 and 0.018, respectively). After rehabilitation in the depressed subgroup, there was no improvement in the subjective assessment of exertion or reduction of state anxiety. Sex and co-morbidities also had considerable importance in the context of CR efficacy. The women showed more severe depressive symptoms (P = 0.01), a higher personality tendency to anxiety (P = 0.036) and poorer results of rehabilitation (in relation to the level of exertion after physical training and the intensity of state anxiety symptoms). There was no reduction of state anxiety in patients who suffered from at least two co-morbidities. The presence of severe anxiety–depressive symptoms before rehabilitation has an effect on its outcome. Psychiatric symptomatology should be diagnosed as early as possible and patients should receive additional therapeutic support.

Depression and anxiety are common among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients but are rarely diagnosed and treated. Furthermore, the fraction of patients with depression is greater among hemodialyzed patients. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of depression symptoms, anxiety and assess the level of life satisfaction in three groups of patients based on the stage of CKD. The study group consisted of 283 patients—130 females and 153 males, mean aged was 54.7 (±15.3) with stage III–V chronic kidney disease and after kidney transplantation. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used. The highest percentage of patients with depressive symptoms was recorded in the group of dialysis patients with stage V CKD. The lowest percentage of patients with high satisfaction with life was noted in the pre-dialysis group. There was a significant relationship between BDI and STAI, SWLS in all groups while a significant relationship between BDI and handgrip strength was observed in dialysis and kidney transplantation patients. Anxiety as a trait was found to be the factor most significantly associated with depressive symptoms in each of the three patient groups. Screen testing and monitoring of the emotional state of patients with CKD are needed, regardless of the stage of the disease and treatment, including patients after kidney transplantation.