Background: In Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the kidney doesn't function, and Hemodialysis (HD) is the only treatment choice. However, patients undergoing HD have significantly reduced cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life. HIIT elicits a more significant change in cardiorespiratory fitness. However, literature is insufficient on intradialytic exercises and HIIT for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Hence, this study aims to determine the immediate effects of HIIT on vital parameters in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: In this pilot study, nine patients with CKD undergoing HD for more than three months with age ranging between 20- 75 years and who were vitally stable were included from the Dialysis Unit of Tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients with acute infection, unstable angina pectoris, severe arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension were excluded. After obtaining written consent from every participant, they performed HIIT on the bed cycle ergometer for 20 minutes on the bed in the supine position during dialysis. Efficacy was measured at baseline and immediately after the intervention from the change in Heart rate, Blood pressure and Oxygen Saturation. Results: All the participants completed the HIIT exercise without any complication in the given time. A significant change in HR values with a P-value of <0.006 was observed as HR increased within the target heart rate limits. However, there was no statistically significant change in values of SpO2 and BP with a P-value of <0.8 and < 0.6, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrated HIIT as a feasible and safe method for intradialytic exercise and emphasizes the importance of intradialytic exercises.

Keywords: HIIT; Intradialytic Exercise; CKD.