The Association Between the Perception of Exercise Benefits and Barriers and Exercise Self-Efficacy During the Induction Phase of Dialysis in Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: The physical function of patients with chronic kidney disease gradually declines as kidney function deteriorates, and this decline becomes more pronounced after the initiation of dialysis. Encouraging the development of exercise habits from the initiation phase of dialysis is crucial. Increased exercise self-efficacy is essential for establishing these habits. However, the related factors at this stage are unclear. This study hypothesized that perceptions of exercise benefits and barriers are related to exercise self-efficacy and aimed to investigate this association. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study included 72 patients and assessed the stages of exercise behavior change, perceptions of exercise benefits and barriers, and exercise self-efficacy. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the association between exercise self-efficacy and perceptions of the benefits and barriers of exercise. Results: Perceptions of exercise benefits were still significantly associated with self-efficacy for exercise after adjustment for age, gender, history of cardiovascular disease, diabetic kidney disease, living alone, employment, and physical function (β = 0.474, p < 0.001). Similarly, perceptions of exercise barriers were also significantly associated with self-efficacy for exercise (β = -0.410, p = 0.001). A subgroup analysis that only examined participants without exercise habits revealed a similar association. Conclusions: Perceptions of exercise benefits and barriers may be associated with exercise self-efficacy in patients with end-stage kidney disease during the initiation phase of dialysis. As patients are temporarily hospitalized during this phase, it provides an opportunity for intervention. Exercise education and supportive environments during hospitalization may enhance perceptions of exercise benefits, reduce perceptions of exercise barriers, and improve exercise self-efficacy.