Exercise and nutrition interventions for renal cachexia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the current literature on the effects of resistance training (RT) and nutrition interventions for improving muscle strength, physical function, and muscle mass in renal cachexia patients.
Results Summary
RT was found to improve muscle strength and, in some cases, physical function, though effects on muscle mass were mixed. Combined RT and aerobic training (AT) showed benefits for overall functional capacity, with no superior protocol identified (inter/intra-dialysis vs. home-based).
Population
Patients with renal cachexia (characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, and reduced physical function).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
resistance training (RT) | increase | muscle strength | - | - | proven to have beneficial effects on improving | #1 |
resistance training (RT) | increase | physical function | - | - | beneficial effects on improving | #2 |
resistance training (RT) | no change | muscle mass | - | mixed and inconclusive | effects on | #3 |
combined RT and aerobic training (AT) | increase | overall functional capacity | - | - | may have also beneficial effects on | #4 |
oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) | increase | nutritional status | - | - | may have beneficial effects on | #5 |
oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) | increase | body mass index | - | - | beneficial effects on | #6 |
oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) | increase | plasma albumin | - | - | beneficial effects on | #7 |
oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) | increase | handgrip strength | - | - | beneficial effects on | #8 |
Omega-3 fatty acids | decrease | anti-inflammatory effects | haemodialysis patients | - | have been shown to have | #9 |
Omega-3 fatty acids | increase | muscle mass | other populations groups | - | may be beneficial for improving | #10 |
Omega-3 fatty acids | increase | muscle strength | other populations groups | - | may be beneficial for improving | #11 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Renal cachexia is a deleterious condition characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting and loss of physical function, quality of life, and increased mortality. Multimodal treatment strategies utilizing exercise and nutrition interventions have been recently suggested although the evidence base is still in its infancy. This paper aimed to review the current literature surrounding the use of exercise and nutrition for renal cachexia. MAIN FINDINGS: Evidence from systematic reviews and narrative reviews indicates that resistance training (RT) is proven to have beneficial effects on improving muscle strength and in some cases physical function, although effects on muscle mass are mixed and inconclusive. Further, combined RT and aerobic training (AT) may have also beneficial effects on overall functional capacity and there appears to be no superior mode of protocol (inter/intra-dialysis vs. home-based). For nutrition, there is new data from systematic review of studies indicating that oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) may have beneficial effects on nutritional status (e.g. body mass index, plasma albumin and handgrip strength). Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in haemodialysis patients from two recent systematic reviews, and evidence from other populations groups indicate they may be beneficial for improving muscle mass and strength. SUMMARY: Evidence is accumulating for individual exercise and nutrition components but specific multimodal treatment studies in renal cachexia need to be urgently undertaken.