Investigation of the Effect of End Stage Renal Failure on Mobility and Balance: A Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE: This study has been planned to examine the effect of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) on mobility and balance in hemodialysis patients.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The study sample consisted of eighty healthy volunteers without a chronic disease and eighty patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment 3 times a week. The Tinetti Balance And Gait Assessment was used to evaluate balance and walking ability. The Six-Meter Walk Test and Walking Cadence were utilized to evaluate mobility. We used the Modifi ed Functional Reach Test for the sitting position of balance. We recorded whether there was an increased number of falls during hemodialysis treatment and the frequency of falls in six months.

RESULTS: Mean hemodialysis time was 31.45±19.32 months. The sitting position of balance was good in both groups (p>0.05). We found a signifi cant reduction in walking velocity and cadence in patients with CRF (p<0.0001). We identifi ed an increased risk of falling in 15% of patients with endstage renal failure. The total results for the Tinetti assessment were found to be lower in the patients than the control group (p<0,0001).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the sitting position of balance was not affected in hemodialysis patients but there was an adverse effect on the mobility of patients and an increased risk of falling.