Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42443817›Full record

Trial reportBMC nephrology2026

Effect of preoperative isometric hand exercise on vascular caliber in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease - a randomised controlled trial.

Nawaphan Taengsakul, Phornpa Lertutsahakul, Pantita Pooloui, Mullika Buttakosa

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC nephrology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nawaphan TaengsakulDepartment of Surgery, Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Rd., Talat Bang khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand. nawaphan.tan@cra.ac.th.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5861-533X
Phornpa LertutsahakulDepartment of Rehabilitation, Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pantita PoolouiDepartment of Rehabilitation, Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
Mullika ButtakosaDepartment of Surgery, Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Rd., Talat Bang khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundArteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis, yet maturation failure is common and preoperative strategies to optimize vessel caliber are poorly standardized. This study hypothesizes that isometric exercise, when implemented preoperatively can enhance vascular caliber, thereby improving AVF creation and maturation.

methodsThis single-center, prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled 54 patients with CKD stage 4-5 scheduled for vascular access creation at Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok. Participants were allocated 1:1 to an 8-week isometric exercise regimen (grip strengthener and pétanque ball; n = 27) or control (n = 27). Vascular caliber was assessed by duplex ultrasound at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in cephalic vein arm diameter at 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in other vessel diameters, grip strength, AVF feasibility, AVF type, and 12-week maturation rate.

resultsBaseline characteristics were comparable except for higher CAD prevalence (44.4% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.040) and antiplatelet use (40.7% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.033) in the control group. The exercise group demonstrated a significant increase in cephalic vein arm diameter at 8 weeks (p = 0.045). Radiocephalic AVF creation was significantly more frequent in the exercise group (93.8% vs. 58.3%, p = 0.026). Baseline cephalic vein arm diameter was the strongest independent predictor of AVF feasibility (adjusted OR = 3.63 per mm, 95% CI [1.56, 8.47], p = 0.003). AVF maturation rates did not differ significantly between groups.

conclusionAn 8-week preoperative isometric exercise protocol significantly improved cephalic vein arm diameter and increased radiocephalic AVF creation rate, a clinically meaningful shift that preserves proximal venous capital for future vascular access procedures. No significant difference in short-term AVF maturation was observed, likely reflecting the premature 12-week follow-up and composition effect of more radiocephalic procedures in the exercise group; adequately powered trials with extended follow-up are warranted.

trial registrationThe study was registered with the Thai Clinical Trial Registry (number: 20230913004) on 13 September 2023.

Indexed as

Arteriovenous Shunt, SurgicalExercise TherapyHandPreoperative CareRenal Insufficiency, ChronicAgedFemaleHand StrengthHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesRenal DialysisUltrasonography, Doppler, DuplexArteriovenous fistulaCephalic veinChronic kidney diseaseIsometric exerciseVascular access

Identifiers

PMID42443817
PMCPMC13545763

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.