Rehabilitation may benefit people receiving long-term hemodialysis, particularly those who experience:

• significant fatigue;
• reduced muscle strength;
• difficulty walking or moving around;
• loss of independence in daily activities;
• difficulty returning to activities they used to do.

Rehabilitation may also be considered for some people preparing for a kidney transplant, depending on their health status and the recommendations of their medical team.

An appropriate rehabilitation program may help to:

• regain muscle strength;
• improve endurance;
• reduce feelings of fatigue in some people;
• make walking and moving around easier;
• improve balance;
• make daily activities easier to perform;
• maintain independence;
• build self-confidence and reduce psychological distress;
• support a balanced diet;
• improve quality of life.

People receiving dialysis often have an arteriovenous fistula in the arm or another access site used for dialysis. This area must be carefully protected.

Exercises are therefore selected and adapted to follow the nephrology team’s recommendations and to avoid placing the dialysis access at unnecessary risk.

Always consult your medical team before starting or changing an exercise program.