Abstract: Objective  To explore the role of air wave pressure therapy in the prevention of hemodialysis-associated muscle cramps.  Methods A total of 47 patients with three or more hemodialysis-associated muscle cramps occurring within one month during the monitoring period and treated in the Blood Purification Center of Shaoxing Second Hospital were divided into the observation group (24 cases) and the control group (23 cases). The control group was treated with routine hemodialysis. The observation group was treated with routine hemodialysis plus air wave pressure. The occurrence of muscle cramps and hypotension were compared between the two groups.  Results  Compared with the control group, the incidence of hemodialysis-associated muscle cramps (14.5% vs. 26.2%; χ2=12.797, P＜0.001), and the mean modified Ashworth score (1.31±0.51 vs. 1.79±0.71; t=-4.006, P＜0.001) were lower in the observation group; the incidence of hypotension (13.2% vs. 23.2%; χ2=10.107, P=0.001) and the mean decrease of blood pressure (22.66±2.45 vs. 25.28±3.75 mmHg; t=-4.429, P＜0.001) were also lower in the observation group.  Conclusion Air wave pressure therapy can reduce the incidence and the degree of hemodialysis-associated muscle cramps and hypotension.

Key words: Air wave pressure therapy, Muscle cramps, Hypotension