Effect of Passive and Active Stretching Exercises on Controlling Leg Cramps for Patients undergoing Hemodialysis

Mohmmed Abouelala, Fatma; Abdelftah Mohamed, Nermen; Hamdi Kamal Khalil, Nagla; El Shahat Ahmed El Gammal, Walaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2021.231286

Effect of Passive and Active Stretching Exercises on Controlling Leg Cramps for Patients undergoing Hemodialysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of medical surgical nursing, Faculty of nursing, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt

² Assistant professor of medical surgical nursing, Faculty of nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of medical surgical nursing, Faculty of nursing, Damnhour University, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2021.231286

Abstract

Background: One of the most prevalent physical symptoms among patients undergoing
hemodialysis is muscle cramping. Active and passive stretching exercises may be helpful in
alleviating leg muscles cramps for those patients. Study aims to: Evaluate the effect of practice
passive and active stretching exercises on controlling muscle cramps for patients on hemodialysis.
Subjects and method: Quasi experimental pretest-posttest research design was employed. Setting:
It was conducted at hemodialysis unit at Kafrelsheikh general hospital, one of the hospitals of
Ministry of health, Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt. Subjects: A purposive sample of 50
hemodialysis patients divided equally into study group who practice stretching exercises and control
group who received ordinary hospital care. Tools: two tools were used. Tool (I) "Structured
Interview questionnaire" It was created by the researchers to collect data about demographic and
clinical data. Tool (II) "Muscle cramps questionnaire chart": it used to assess the intensity level of
muscle cramp for patients on hemodialysis. Results: There was statistically significant reduced in
the muscle cramps intensity level of the study group after practice stretching exercises (p=
<0.001*). Conclusion: Active and passive stretching exercises have positive effect on reducing
level of leg muscle cramps among hemodialysis patients. Recommendation: Enroll Intradialytic
stretching exercises with routine nursing care for hemodialysis patients.

Keywords