Effectiveness of low to moderate intensity aerobic exercises along with Jacobson’s relaxation on quality of life and physical performance in chronic kidney disease patient with frailty: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with frailty is associated with reduced physical performance
and poor quality of life (QOL). This study evaluated the effectiveness of low-to-moderate intensity aerobic
exercise combined with Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation (JPMR) in patients with CKD and
frailty.
Methods: 40 clinically diagnosed CKD patients with frailty were randomly allocated into two groups
(n=20 each). Group A received aerobic exercise with JPMR, while Group B received aerobic exercise
alone, three times weekly for 12 weeks. QOL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36
(KDQOL-36) questionnaire, and physical performance was assessed using estimated VO₂max.
Results: Both groups showed significant improvements after the intervention (p<0.05). However, Group
A demonstrated significantly greater improvements in QOL (50.55 ± 4.00 vs. 44.35 ± 2.75) and VO₂max
(26.60 ± 2.90 vs. 22.50 ± 2.72) than Group B.
Conclusion: Aerobic exercise combined with JPMR is more effective than aerobic exercise alone in
improving physical performance and QOL in frail CKD patients.