Abstract
Resistance training is effective in chronic hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but its effect on toe pinch force (TPF) is unknown. This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted at three hospitals to investigate the effect of short-term toe resistance training on TPF in chronic hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes. The patients were randomly allocated to intervention (performed aerobic exercise and four toe resistance training exercises) and control (performed aerobic exercise only) groups. After 2 weeks of exercise intervention program, evaluations of TPF and clinical parameters were performed. In addition, the rate of retention of exercise therapy was assessed 6 months after the exercise intervention program was completed. After the exercise intervention program, TPF was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. The intervention group had a significantly higher rate of continuation of exercise therapy. Two weeks of toe resistance training significantly increased the TPF in chronic hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes. Toe resistance training was shown to be an effective training method for continuing exercise therapy. Toe resistance training is recommended in clinical practice for chronic hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes.