Dr Mohammad Ali Tabibi1, Mrs Nasrin Salimian1, Dr Farzad Nazemi1, Mrs Saghar Ahmadi1, Dr Esmaeil Ahmadi1
1Pardis Specialized Wellness Institute, Isfahan, Iran
Biography:
Mohammad Ali Tabibi is a clinical exercise physiologist at Pardis Specialized Wellness Institute, Isfahan, Iran. He has extensive experience in exercise prescription and rehabilitation for patients with chronic diseases, with a particular focus on people receiving maintenance hemodialysis. His research portfolio includes peer-reviewed, internationally disseminated work on practical, clinic-based exercise strategies designed to improve functional outcomes and quality of life in dialysis populations. He is committed to translating evidence into feasible programs that can be integrated into routine care and scaled across clinical settings.
Abstract:
Background
Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis commonly experience impaired balance and reduced physical function, which increases fall risk and restricts independence. Eye exercise programs that target oculomotor control and visuovestibular integration may provide a simple, low-cost strategy to improve balance and mobility in this population.
Aim
To evaluate the effects of an intradialytic eye exercise program on balance and physical function in adults undergoing hemodialysis.
Methods
In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 48 hemodialysis patients were allocated to an eye exercise group (n=24) or usual care (n=24). The intervention comprised 20-minute supervised eye exercise sessions delivered during hemodialysis, three times per week for eight weeks (gaze stabilization, saccades, smooth pursuit, and convergence). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention by blinded assessors: balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), physical function using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and gait speed (m/s) using a standardized walk test. Between-group effects were evaluated using ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values.
Results
At eight weeks, the eye exercise group showed significantly greater improvements versus control in BBS (mean change +7.2 vs +0.8 points; adjusted mean difference 6.1, 95% CI 4.3–7.9; p<0.001), SPPB (+1.6 vs +0.3 points; adjusted mean difference 1.2, 95% CI 0.7–1.7; p<0.001), and gait speed (+0.12 vs +0.01 m/s; adjusted mean difference 0.10, 95% CI 0.06–0.14; p<0.001). Adherence exceeded 85%.
Conclusion
A brief intradialytic eye exercise program significantly improved balance and physical function in hemodialysis patients and may be a feasible adjunct to routine dialysis care to reduce fall risk and enhance mobility.