Objective To explore the effect of cuffed arm exercises on maturation after autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery. Methods In the historical comparative study, 39 hemodialysis patients recruited from November 2018 to May 2019, were included as the control group, and were instructed to perform routine functional exercises after AVF surgery;another 39 hemodialysis patients recruited from June to December 2019, were included as the intervention group, and were subjected to individualized cuffed arm exercises.The clinical and ultrasonic maturation indexes of AVF at different time points after the surgery were compared between the two groups. Results The brachial artery flow rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group 4, 6 and 8 weeks after AVF surgery.The incidence rate of type I stenosis in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group 8 weeks after the surgery.The minimal luminal diameter of the fistula vein as well as of the fistula artery, and the length of fistula vein available for puncture in the intervention group were significantly longer than those in the control group.The time to and the rate of AVF maturation in the intervention group were significantly shorter and higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01). Conclusion Individualized cuffed arm exercises could improve the maturation rate of AVF in patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy, and reduce the complications of AVF.