Evaluation of the effects of pulmonary physiotherapy on functional capacity and quality of life in renal recipients

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of respiratory physiotherapy and strengthening exercises applied after kidney transplantation (KTx) on respiration, physical performance, body composition and quality of life (QoL). Method: Preoperative 6-minute walking test (6 MWT) scores, forced expiratory first second volume (FEV1) values, hand grip strength, body composition measurement data and Short Form 36 QoL scale (SF-36) scores of 53 patients who applied to Antalya Medikalpark Hospital for KTx for the first time were recorded. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Breathing exercise until discharge with patients in the experimental group (n=27); after discharge, respiratory exercises and lower and upper extremity strengthening exercises were practiced 3 days a week for 2 weeks. Standard care was applied to the control group (n=26). At the end of the 3rd postoperative week, the measurements were repeated and the amount of variation between the first and last measurements between the groups was statistically compared. Results: Demographic findings of both groups were similar when compared. The scores physical function sub-parameter of SF-36 increased significantly in the experimental group after KTx compared to before KTx; decreased in the control group. In both groups, 6 MWT, FEV 1 values and scores of the physical role difficulty, emotional role difficulty, mental health, energy/vitality and general health sub-parameters of the QoL scale increased statistically, but there was no significant difference between the groups. It was observed that the pain sub-parameter scores of the SF-36 QoL scale and grip strengths did not change statistically in both control and experimental groups. Conclusion: An early respiratory physiotherapy and strengthening program for 3 weeks after kidney transplantation has been shown to significantly improve patients' quality of life and physical function. Key words: pulmonary rehabilitation, kidney transplantation, postoperative exercise.