Abstract: Objective  To evaluate the effects of informational walking exercise intervention based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.  Methods  A total of 90 MHD patients treated at Xi’an Jiaotong University First Hospital from March to September 2023 were randomly assigned into intervention group (n=45) or control group (n=45). The control group received routine care, while the intervention group received the ICF-based digital walking exercise intervention plus routine care for 6 months. Six-minute walking distance (6MWD), physical function, number of weekly steps, grip strength, exercise self-efficacy, social support, quality of life, and biochemical indicators were compared before and after the intervention.  Results  A total of 82 patients (41 in each group) completed the study. After 6 months of walking exercise intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in 6MWD (t=-2.173, P=0.033), physical function (t=-3.605, P<0.001), average weekly steps (t=-7.704, P<0.001), exercise self-efficacy (t=-3.365, P<0.001), social support (t=-5.255, P<0.001), and quality of life (t=-3.263, P=0.002) as compared those to the control group. However, no significant changes were observed in grip strength (t=-1.914, P=0.059) and biochemical parameters including hemoglobin (t=-1.050, P=0.147), albumin (t=-1.243, P=0.537), calcium (t=0.575, P=0.405), and phosphorus (t=0.238, P=0.896).  Conclusion The ICF-based informational walking intervention significantly improved physical function, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life in MHD patients.

Key words: International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF), Maintenance hemodialysis, Exercise intervention