Trial results for a study investigating a home-based exercise method to reduce psychological distress, depression, and anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-12-08. The intervention group experienced a mean reduction in depression scores of 2.96 points, compared to a mean reduction of 8.00 points in the control group over six months.
Background
Patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience significant psychological distress, including high levels of depression and anxiety, which can impact their quality of life and treatment adherence. Addressing these mental health challenges is crucial for holistic patient care. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as exercise, are being explored as potential methods to alleviate these symptoms in this vulnerable population.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 54 participants. The trial aimed to investigate the level of psychological distress in patients undergoing hemodialysis and to explore the effectiveness of a home-based exercise method in reducing psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. Participants were randomized into either an intervention group, which received home-based exercise for 6 months, or a control group.
Key results
The trial evaluated changes in depression and anxiety scores from baseline to 6 months:
- Change in Depression Score (PHQ-9) From Baseline to 6 Months:
- Intervention group: Mean change of 2.96 (Standard Deviation 1.871) units on a scale.
- Control group: Mean change of 8.00 (Standard Deviation 5.710) units on a scale.
- Change in Anxiety Score (GAD-7) From Baseline to 6 Months:
- Intervention group: Mean change of 4.80 (Standard Deviation 4.030) units on a scale.
- Control group: Mean change of 6.69 (Standard Deviation 4.412) units on a scale.
Key analyses using a paired sample T-test showed the following:
- For depression, the Mean Difference (Final Values) was 4.115 (95.0% Confidence Interval: 2.87 to 5.36), with a p-value of 0.05.
- For anxiety, the Mean Difference (Final Values) was 2.192 (95.0% Confidence Interval: 0.986 to 3.238), with a p-value of 0.05.
What this means
The results suggest that a home-based exercise program can be an effective intervention for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The observed mean reductions in both depression and anxiety scores in the intervention group, coupled with the statistically significant mean differences compared to the control group, indicate a potential benefit for these patients. Integrating structured exercise into the routine care of hemodialysis patients could offer a non-pharmacological approach to improve their psychological well-being.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT07083843, titled "Exercise Effect on Psychological Distress of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at Al-Suwaiq Dialysis Center", were posted on 2025-12-08 on clinicaltrials.gov.