الفهرس 
Acute Kidney InjuryOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 150 |  |  |
| | | from | 150 | | |
Abstract
The elderly comprises the fastest growing group of patients on dialysis (Chou et al.,2022). Muscle cramps are a common complication experienced by HD patients and are characterized by a sudden, painful and involuntary contraction of a muscle, especially in the lower extremities (Lekha, 2016; Shraida et al., 2021). Which can sometimes lead to early termination of HD session (Dhudum & Bhore, 2020). Intradialytic stretching exercises are the most effective measure to treat muscle cramps among elderly HD patients (Bagchi, 2020).They can immediately relieve the cramp (Anbu & Rathiga, 2021). Also, improve solute removal, reduces muscle protein loss, promote blood flow, and muscle strength, and therefore HD adequacy (Wayan, 2021; Albadry et al., 2020).This study was conducted to determine the effect of intradialytic stretching exercises on muscle cramps among elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Using a quasiexperimental design (one group pretest/ posttest design). The study sample composed of 50 elderly patients who were registered in dialysis units’ files with end stage renal disease and on regular hemodialysis. The study was conducted at hemodialysis unit in Meet Khaqan Health Center affiliated to Shebin El-Kom Fever Hospital, which located in Meet Khaqan village at Shebin El-kom city, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt.Data collection instruments: Two instruments were utilized in the study:-Instrument I: Structured interviewing questionnaire. It included three parts: -Part 1: Socio-demographic data of the elderly patients.Part 2: Medical history of the elderly patients.Part 3: Anthropometric measurements of the patients.Instrument II: Cramp questionnaire chart and visual analogue scale. It was used to assess patients’ level of muscle cramps before and after exercises application.The main results of the current study revealed that: -• The mean age of the studied patients was 65.06 ± 4.96 (range 60- 78 years) and 60% of them were males.• There was a highly statistically significance difference in the level of muscle cramps pre and post implementation of intradialytic stretching exercises. In the pre-test, 70% of the patients had severe cramps and 30% of them had moderate cramps. While, in the post-test, more than half of them (56%) had no cramps, 38% had mild cramps and only 6% of the patients experienced moderate muscle cramps. This reflects the effectiveness of intradialytic stretching exercises, and these findings provide support to the current research hypothesis.Conclusion After application of an intradialytic stretching exercises during the current study, a significant reduction in the level of muscle cramps had been observed. Therefore, intradialytic stretching exercises were an effective, simple, and safe procedure that could prevent and reduce the level of muscle cramps among elderly patients undergoing HD.Recommendations 1. Intradialytic stretching exercises should be incorporated into routine nursing care for HD patients.2. Dialysis nurses should be trained to implement intradialytic stretching exercises during HD to prevent or reduce level of muscle cramps.