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Self-management education and exercise training significantly reduce fatigue in adults on haemodialysisExercise and Education May Reduce Fatigue in Dialysis Patients

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Key Takeaway
Consider self-management education or exercise training to reduce fatigue in patients on haemodialysis.

This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of self-management education, exercise training, and cognitive behavioural therapy on fatigue in adults receiving haemodialysis. The analysis synthesizes data to determine the efficacy of these interventions for managing fatigue and improving health-related quality of life.

Self-management education showed a significant reduction in fatigue (SMD=0.98; 95% CI [0.69, 1.28], p < 0.001). Exercise training also demonstrated a significant benefit for fatigue (SMD=0.82; 95% CI [0.44, 1.20], p < 0.001). In contrast, cognitive behavioural therapy did not show a statistically significant effect on fatigue (SMD=1.45; 95% CI [-0.46, 3.37], p = 0.137).

Evidence certainty is varied across the interventions. Self-management education is supported by moderate certainty evidence, while exercise training is supported by low certainty evidence. Cognitive behavioural therapy is supported by very low certainty evidence.

Clinically, self-management education may be considered for routine care, and exercise training may serve as an adjunctive strategy. The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy remains inconclusive for this population. The analysis included both randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies.

Researchers looked at how different programs help adults on hemodialysis manage fatigue. The study analyzed several methods, including self-management education, exercise training, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These programs aim to improve daily life and well-being for patients facing the physical demands of dialysis.

The results showed that both self-management education and exercise training led to a significant reduction in fatigue. While the evidence for exercise training is currently considered low certainty, it showed a clear benefit. In contrast, the results for cognitive behavioral therapy were not statistically significant, and the evidence for this specific method is very low.

Because the evidence for some methods is limited, these findings should be viewed as preliminary. Self-management education may be a reliable option for routine care, while exercise training could be a helpful addition to current treatments. Patients should talk to their healthcare team to see which approach fits their specific needs.

What this means for you:
Exercise and self-management education show promise in reducing fatigue for people on hemodialysis.

Common questions

Can exercise help with fatigue during dialysis?

The study found that exercise training resulted in a significant reduction in fatigue for adults on hemodialysis. However, the researchers noted that the certainty of this evidence is currently low. It may be used as an extra strategy to help manage daily fatigue.

What is self-management education?

Self-management education is a program that showed a significant effect in reducing fatigue for patients on hemodialysis. This method has a moderate level of certainty in the data. It may be a helpful option for routine clinical care.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy help with fatigue?

The study did not find a significant result for cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing fatigue. The evidence for this specific treatment is considered very low, meaning it is currently unclear if it is an effective way to manage fatigue.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedSep 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is common and debilitating in adults undergoing haemodialysis, significantly impairing health-related quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions such as self-management education, exercise training, and cognitive behavioural therapy have been shown to reduce fatigue in this population. However, a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of their overall effectiveness is still lacking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of self-management education, exercise training, and cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing fatigue among adults receiving haemodialysis. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Adults receiving haemodialysis. MEASUREMENTS: Nine databases were searched from inception to 27 January, 2026. Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were included. Study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Meta-analyses were conducted using R (version 4.4.1), with pooled effects reported as standardised mean differences based on change scores. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included. Self-management education demonstrated a significant effect on fatigue (SMD = 0.98, 95% CI [0.69, 1.28], p < 0.001, moderate certainty evidence). Exercise training also yielded a significant benefit (SMD = 0.82, 95% CI [0.44, 1.20], p < 0.001, low certainty evidence). Cognitive behavioural therapy did not show a significant effect (SMD = 1.45, 95% CI [-0.46, 3.37], p = 0.137, very low certainty evidence). CONCLUSIONS: Self-management education may be considered for routine clinical care, while exercise training may serve as an adjunctive strategy. The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy remains inconclusive. Further high-quality trials are needed.
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