Fatigue is a debilitating symptom or side effect experienced by many patients on long term dialysis. According to Indian Council of Medical Research, it is estimated that, among 1 billion populations around 7.85 million people are suffering from renal failure. 45-50% of CKD patients in Andhra Pradesh are below 40 yrs of age. Besides 70% of patients undergoing dialysis under Arogyasri scheme was below 40. Aim: to assess the effectiveness of Leg stretch exercises on fatigue among patients

more »

... ng haemodialysis. Setting and Design: Narayana Medical College Hospital, Nellore by using quasi experimental non equivalent control group design. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples were selected by using non probability convenience sampling technique. Statistical Analysis Used: The collected data was organized, tabulated, analyzed and interpreted by using descriptive and inferential statistics based on the objectives of the study. Results: The findings of the study revealed that effectiveness of leg stretch exercises on fatigue among patients undergoing haemodialysis, in experimental group, during pretest, 5(17%) had mild fatigue whereas in post test, 16(53%) had mild fatigue. In pretest, 17(57%) had moderate fatigue whereas in post test, 12(40%) had moderate fatigue. In pretest, 8(26%) had severe fatigue whereas in post test, 2(7%) had severe fatigue. In experimental group the post test mean is27.5 with standard deviation of9.74 where as in control group the mean is35.4 with standard deviation of15.3. The calculated value is 2.20 is greater than the tabulated value 1.69. Conclusion: The study concludes that the Leg stretching exercises are effective in reducing the fatigue levels. Introduction Fatigue is an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and decreased capacity for physical and mental work [1]. Fatigue is a debilitating symptom or side effect experienced by many patients on long term dialysis. Fatigue is verbalization of unremitting and overwhelming lack of energy to do routines, increase in physical complaints, emotionally liable or irritable, decreased ability to concentrate, decreased performance/ lethargy /listlessness, decreased libido, psychological demands, state of discomfort and withdrawal of medication [2]. Exercises also increase the blood flow to muscle and greater amount of open capillary surface area in working muscles which result in a greater flux of urea and associated toxins from the tissue to the vascular compartment helps in subsequent removal of the dialyser. There are different exercises like flexibility exercises and strengthening exercises to improve the physical functioning of the patient. Leg stretch exercises done during the dialysis procedure like quadriceps knee strengthening exercise, hamstring exercise and gluteal strengthening exercise will improve the muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, which helps in determining both strength and overall function of the body [3]. World Health Organization estimated that around 1 million new cases of end stage renal disease are detected worldwide every year. Since kidney transplants are much costlier; dialysis becomes the mode of treatment for many [4]. Currently, there are over 1.4 million people on lifesaving dialysis and the number is growing by 8% every year [5] .