BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment and sleep disturbance are very common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are strongly associated with increased mortality among the patients. Even though, exercise is considered to be a quantifiable activity that improves cognition in animals and humans, but few studies have examined the efficacy of exercise on cognitive function and sleep quality in CKD. AIMS: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise during haemodialysis on the cognitive performance and sleep quality. METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 38 patients with an average age of 47 years under haemodialysis were divided into control (n = 11) and experimental (n = 27) groups. Patients in experimental group were participated in a 24 weeks training progressive exercise that performed during the first two hours of their haemodialysis on a stationary bicycle, three times a week, for 75 minutes each time. Cognitive performance using Mini-Mental State Examination, Symbol Digit Test and Trail Making Test-B and sleep quality with PSQI questioner were assessed before, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after training program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18, Mann-Whitney U and repeated measure analysis. RESULTS: After the exercise, there was a significant increase in the Trail Making Test-B and sleep quality during the first 12 weeks and a significant improvement after 24 weeks in Mini-Mental State Examination and Symbol Digit Test in exercise group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that aerobic exercises has a significant impact on cognitive performance and sleep quality in haemodialysis patients and can be used as part of the treatment for haemodialysis patients but further research is warranted to clarify the involved mechanisms.

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