Introduction: Blood flow restriction training can be used as an alternative to conventional exercise in chronic kidney disease patients with indication of arteriovenous fistula. Objective: Evaluating the efficacy of blood flow restriction training in the diameter and distensibility change of the cephalic vein and the diameter and flow of the radial artery, muscle strength and forearm circumference in chronic kidney disease patients with arteriovenous fistula pre-creation. Methods: A blind randomized clinical trial consisting of 26 chronic kidney disease patients allocated into a blood flow restriction training group (blood flow restriction; n = 12) and a group without blood flow restriction training (control group; n = 14). Blood flow restriction was performed at 50% of systolic blood pressure and using 40% of handgrip strength as load for the isometric exercises in both groups. Results: An increase in the diameter of the cephalic vein in the 2 cm (p = 0.008) and 10 cm segments (p = 0.001) was observed in the control group. The diameter of the radial artery increased in all segments in the blood flow restriction group (2, 10 and 20 cm; p = 0.005, p = 0.021 and p = 0.018, respectively) and in the 10 and 20 cm segments (p = 0.017 and p = 0.026) in the control group. Handgrip strength only increased in the control group (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Physical training associated with blood flow restriction increased cephalic vein diameters in both groups and was effective in increasing the diameter of the radial artery; however, it did not demonstrate superiority over the exercise group protocol without blood flow restriction.

Background: Exercise intolerance is a common development in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is little data on the use of an isolated program using vibration platform training on functional capacity in these patients, which is an area that deserves investigation. Aim: To investigate the effect of training on a vibrating platform (whole-body vibration [WBV]) on functional performance and quality of life of subjects with COPD. Methods: A randomized controlled crossover pilot study with eleven subjects with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁]% predicted =14.63±11.14; forced vital capacity [FVC]% predicted =48.84±15.21; FEV₁/FVC =47.39±11.63) underwent a 12-week WBV training program. Participants were randomized into the intervention group (IG) undergoing three sessions per week for a total of 12 weeks and control group (CG) without intervention. We evaluated the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), distance walked (DW), duration of the walk (TW), and index of perceived exertion (IPE), quality of life using St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and developed a 12-week program of training on a vibrating platform. Results: The mean age was 62.91±8.82 years old (72.7% male). The DW increased at the end of training with a difference between groups of 75 m; all domains of the SGRQ improved at the end of training. The effect size Cohen’s d ranged from small to large for all the measured results. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that WBV may potentially be a safe and feasible way to improve functional capacity in the 6MWT of patients with COPD undergoing a training program on the vibrating platform as well as in all domains of the SGRQ quality of life. However, further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to establish the long-term effect on functional capacity and quality of life in these patients.

[Purpose] To assess knowledge among nephrologists at hemodialysis services about routine intradialytic therapeutic exercise, in the city of Recife. [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study, consisting of 49 nephrologists working in public and/or private hemodialysis services, who responded to a semi-structured questionnaire about their academic background, medical residency, and knowledge about exercise during the intradialytic period. [Results] About 56.3% practiced for more than 10 years as nephrologists, 69.4% did not receive information about intradialytic physical exercise while in residency, 81.6% considered intradialytic exercise to be important, and 53.0% did not prescribe exercise during hemodialysis. About 61.2% consider the level of physical activity among their patients to be poor. Nephrologists graduating within 2 years were 10 times more likely to prescribe exercise, compared to those with more than 2 years since graduation. [Conclusion] Our study found that the nephrologists interviewed do not usually prescribe intradialytic therapeutic exercise, despite understanding its importance as part of the treatment process. It is necessary to update doctors about the importance of exercise for patients during the intradialytic period, as well as to incorporate this knowledge at the undergraduate level.

Purpose: Evaluating the effects of interdialytic daily inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory muscle strength, chest wall regional volumes, diaphragmatic mobility and thickness, pulmonary function, functional capacity, and quality of life (QoL) in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Method: A randomised, and double-blind clinical trial composed of 24 chronic kidney disease patients undergoing HD. Patients were allocated into the IMT group (n = 12) or sham group (n = 12) and performed daily IMT twice per day with a load of 50% inspiratory muscle strength for the IMT group and 5 cmH₂O for the sham group during 8 weeks. Respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness and mobility, chest wall regional volumes, functional capacity, and QoL were measured. Results: At the end of the study, an increase in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength was observed for both groups, but no significant difference was found between them. Changed volume distribution was also observed in the IMT group, with significantly increased inspiratory capacity in the pulmonary compartment compared to the sham group. Conclusions: Daily interdialytic IMT promoted a change in chest wall regional volumes, with an increase in the inspiratory capacity of the pulmonary rib cage. Both groups had increased inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength with daily respiratory exercise.Trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov; study number: NCT02599987; name of trial registry: IMT in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease.