Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the two groups before intervention (categorical data, n=114)

Fatigue^**#

70

36

34

0.863

Age (years)^**#

≥60

44

20

24

0.175

Ethnicity^**#

Han

42

23

19

0.851

Gender^**#

Male

62

30

32

0.158

Comorbidities^**#

≥3

45

23

22

0.275

Employment^**#

Yes

5

3

2

0.886

Exercise^**#

No

65

33

32

0.511

Exercise time^**#

<30 min

85

43

42

0.226

Living situation^*#

Alone

14

6

8

0.186

Hybrid living

100

55

45

Marital status^*#

Separated

19

12

7

0.763

Married

91

47

44

Divorced

4

2

2

Education^**#

Below elementary school

13

4

9

0.104

Elementary school

29

15

14

Junior middle school

37

21

16

Senior High school or above

35

21

14

Family income (RMB/month)^**#

≤900

29

14

15

0.486

901-1500

18

11

7

1501-3000

25

17

8

3001-5000

25

12

13

≥5001

17

8

9

Means of paying medical expenses ^*#

Own expense

6

3

3

0.127

Medical insurance

53

31

22

Free medical service

4

3

1

Rural cooperative medical service

51

23

28

Complications^**#

Yes

95

51

44

0.275

Pain (whole body)^**#

Yes

46

24

22

0.841

Pruritus^**#

Yes

96

53

43

0.907

Appetite^**#

Poor

48

24

24

0.592

General

45

23

22

Normal

21

13

8

Dialysis frequency (times/week)^*#

1 time/week

4

0

4

0.068

2 times/week

55

33

22

3 times/week

26

14

12

4 times/week

5

2

3

5 times/two weeks

24

13

11