Functional Electrical Stimulation in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a renal injury and progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function and in its most advanced stage is called chronic renal failure. Although hemodialysis replace some kidney function, patients suffer some alterations characterized by "uremic syndrome" typically expressed by: motor neuropathy and/or autonomic neuropathy, cardiac or musculoskeletal myopathies, peripheral vascular changes, among others. Thereby, the the adoption of physical exercise should be encouraged. However, it is known that the ability to exercise the subject in hemodialysis is low and keeping in mind the weakness of the muscular system in these individuals, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on muscle architecture of patients with chronic kidney disease hemodialysis. For this the following assessments will be performed before and after stimulation: ultrasonography to assess muscle architecture; six-minute walk test to functional capacity; Kidney Disease and Quality of Life - Short Form questionnaire for quality of life; sit and stand test for resistance of the lower limbs; dynamometric by load cell for muscle strength of the lower limbs; flow-mediated dilatation to endothelial function; blood collection for analysis of inflammatory markers and DNA damage. The subjects will be randomized into two groups, FESG (functional electrical stimulation group) and CG (control group). The first will receive the FES in the quadriceps muscle of both thighs, for eight weeks, three times a week during hemodialysis session. While the control group only will be evaluated and re-evaluated. Expected results at the end of the protocol with FES are: increased quadriceps muscle thickness; longest distance covered on the six-minute walk test; improved quality of life; increase in resistance of the lower limbs; increased muscle strength of the lower limbs; improved endothelial function; improved inflammatory status and DNA damage.