To explore the effect of Taijiquan exercise on the improvement of motor and balance function and renal function in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease complicated with sarcopenia.

A total of 73 elderly patients with chronic kidney disease complicated with sarcopenia admitted in Zhejiang Hospital during December 2018 and May 2020 were enrolled in the study. Among them, 36 cases were given routine medical treatment (control group), and 37 cases were given Taijiquan exercise intervention in addition for 12 weeks (observation group). Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), grip strength index, 6-meter walking speed, functional gait assessment scale (FGA),serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine microalbumin were compared between the two groups. The comparison of measurement data between groups was performed by t test and the comparison of enumeration data was performed by χ² test.

After 12 weeks of intervention, ASMI, grip strength index, 6-meter walking speed, FGA score in the observation group were significantly improved compared with those before intervention, and were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=2.876, 4.375, 4.982, 4.582, P < 0.01). Before and after intervention, the difference of urinary microalbumin level in observation group was statistically significant (F=5.396, P < 0.05), and the urinary microalbumin level after 12 weeks of intervention was significantly lower than that before intervention and 24 h after the first intervention (P < 0.01). After 12 weeks of intervention, the level of urinary microalbumin in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group (t=2.557, P < 0.01).

Taijiquan exercise can improve the muscle mass of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease complicated with sarcopenia, improve balance function, protect renal function and improve the quality of life.