Jen Murphy wrote an article that was in the 7/15/2023 edition of The Wall Street Journal titled “Six Exercises for Better Balance from a Trainer Who Lives on a Paddleboard.” At first blush, you might cast this article out of hand into the trash as not having any application to those of us on dialysis. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dialysis can take the starch out of you, drain your energy, cast you as a shut-in, and all sorts of other degenerating aspects that directly impact something named “Proprioception.” In this blog, I will first define the concept of Proprioception and how it applies to those of us on peritoneal dialysis followed by an excerpt from Murphy’s article on the most simple way for us, regardless of age, or fitness, to improve our proprioception.
First I turned to my AI Assistant with the following prompt and result concerning proprioception:
Prompt: Write a blog entry about how Proprioception applies to those of us who are up in age and on peritoneal dialysis.
ChatGPT
Proprioception refers to the sense of the relative position of one’s own parts of the body and the strength of effort being employed in movement. It is essentially our sense of body awareness and is often described as the “sixth sense”. This is extremely important for all individuals regardless of age, health condition, or treatment modalities.
In the context of aging and peritoneal dialysis, proprioception plays a few significant roles:
- Fall Prevention: As we age, our proprioception can decline, increasing the risk of falls. Being on peritoneal dialysis doesn’t directly impact proprioception but can contribute to frailty and general weakness. Falls can be especially harmful to people undergoing dialysis due to weakened immune systems and a greater risk of complications. Thus, maintaining good proprioception can help prevent falls.
- Self-Care Tasks: For someone on peritoneal dialysis, maintaining good proprioception can help with the ability to perform self-care tasks, like dialysis exchange, and maintaining independence.
- Exercise and Rehabilitation: Proprioceptive exercises, which can include balance training and strength training, can help maintain muscle mass, improve coordination, and improve quality of life. This can be particularly important for people on peritoneal dialysis who may experience muscle wasting.
If you are an older adult on peritoneal dialysis, you might find it beneficial to work with a physical therapist or an occupational therapist. They can provide proprioceptive exercises and balance training, which can improve your safety, independence, and overall well-being. Always remember to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.
Murphy notes in her article that “Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among Americans 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research shows our balance begins to decline starting at about age 50. But falling doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of aging.”
In her article, Murphy outlines six exercises to improve balance as a proprioceptive incentive. The first is most applicable to those of us on dialysis and is a doable do. It is named “Single-leg balance” and is illustrated in the lead picture from Bing Illustrator. The following is a quote from this section of the cited WSJ piece:
“
Why:
A 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests an inability to balance on one leg for 10 seconds in mid- to later life is linked to a near doubling the risk of death from any cause within the next decade. You can do this simple balance drill while brushing your teeth or watching TV.
How:
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Balance on your right foot as you bring your left foot off the floor. Start with a hover. Eventually, bring the left knee just below hip height. Keep hips square and eyes focused forward on a steady object. If you need assistance, stand near a chair or wall and use your fingertips as a light aid. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Complete three reps per leg.
Options:
Increase the challenge by standing on an unstable surface such as a BOSU ball or pillow. Progress to bouncing a tennis ball in front of you and catching it while you remain balanced. Next, try to move the hovering foot in front of you, to the side, and behind you while keeping the hips square. The most advanced progression is performing any of these variations with your eyes closed.”
Summary: We introduced the concept of Proprioception which in laymen’s terms is balance, how and why it declines as we age, how the concept applies to those of us on peritoneal dialysis, and by conducting a simple exercise how we can improve in this area from just about anywhere in our domicile. So get off your butts and stand on one foot for a while. I am.
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