Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chow PY(1),Chow TH(1),Tam CL(1),Choi WM(1),Cheung YW(1),Fung YK(1),Ho TL(2)
Affiliation: :
(1)Physiotherapy Department, Tseung Kwan O Hospital (2)Department of Medicine, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Physiotherapy execise program
Keyword 2: :
reduce length of stay
Keyword 3: :
Haemodialysis patients
Introduction: :
Renal patients usually adopted a sedentary lifestyle leading to physical inactivity, deconditioning, decreased exercise capacity, higher hospitalization rate and mortality. HAemodialysis Patient PhYsical exercise program (HAPPY program) has been launched in Tsueng Kwan O Hospital since 2014. HAPPY Program runs every Tuesday to Friday in Hameodialysis Centre (HDC). The program includes physical assessment and intra-dialytic aerobic or resistance exercise with gradual progression. Home exercises are prescribed for self-empowerment. Patients with fall risk are referred to outpatient physiotherapy for individual training.
Objectives: :
1.To evaluate the efficacy by comparing hospital admission rate and the length of stay (LOS) of haemodialysis patients with and without attending HAPPY program.
2.To collect patient’s feedback and satisfaction rate by questionnaire.
Methodology: :
All patients received hemodialysis in HDC in 2025 were reviewed. Demographic data were collected.The hospitalization rate and LOS of patients voluntary joined HAPPY program (group A) were compared with patients without joining the program (group B) were identified via CDARS
Group A patients received intra-dialytic training such as lower limb ergometer with virtual reality, lower limb and upper limb strengthening with weights. Exercise progression were guided by patient perceived exertion and haemodynamic changes during and after training. Home empowerment was reinforced via exercise pamphlet or HAGo. Satisfaction questionnaire was given to group A patients to review their feedback on HAPPY program.
Result & Outcome: :
Forty three patients (25 males and 18 females with mean age of 63.4) voluntarily joined the HAPPY program (Group A) while 74 patients (41 males and 33 females with mean age of 59.9) did not join the program (Group B). Group A patients had similar admission rate comparing to group B, 53.5% versus 52.7% respectively. Although Group A patients were older, their hospital LOS was 4 days shorter than Group B, 7.3 days comparing to 11.3 days. During intra-dialytic training, there was no serious adverse events. About 70% of group A patients agreed or strongly agreed that physiotherapy training can develop their habit of home exercises. The overall satisfaction level of HAPPY program was 8 out of 10.
In conclusion, HAPPY program was safely delivered and patients were satisfied. Its efficacy was revealed from shorter hospital LOS.
