Effect of exercise training in heart rate variability, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in kidney recipients: A preliminary study

The aim of this study was to compare the sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and autonomic function of a group of kidney-transplanted recipients who joined a combined exercise program (KTRt) or remained sedentary (KTRs). A total of 20 kidney-transplanted recipients, split into two groups (10 KTRt and 10 KTRs), joined the study. Heart rate variability, cardiorespiratory capacity, depression, and sleep questionnaires were evaluated. KTRt presented lower Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and greater entropy, and increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic modulation than KTRs. Anxiety level was minimal and depression was absent in both groups. KTRt group presented better sleep quality and better autonomic modulation than KTRs.