Effect of Acupuncture on Functional Capacity in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Patient-Assessor Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Decreased functional capacity (FC) in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is associated with adverse health events and poor survival. Acupuncture is recognized as a safe and effective integrative treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on the FC in chronic kidney disease with GFR category 5 (CKG G5) patients undergoing HD. In this patient-assessor blinded randomized controlled trial, seventy-two KF patients were randomly assigned to experimental ( n = 24), placebo ( n = 24) and control groups ( n = 24). The primary outcome was the improvement in FC assessed by the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT). Secondary outcomes included assessment of peripheral muscle strength by the Handgrip Strength Test (HGS) and the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS-30) at baseline, after treatment and at 12-week follow up. A mixed ANOVA with interaction time*group was used. The experimental group increased walk distance ( p < 0.001), lower limbs strength ( p < 0.001) and handgrip strength ( p = 0.012) after nine acupuncture sessions and stabilized in the follow-up ( p > 0.05). In the placebo and control groups the 6-MWT and 30STS results decreased ( p < 0.001) and the HGS scores did not change through time ( p > 0.05). Acupuncture treatment improved FC and muscle strength in patients undergoing HD.