Home-based Aerobic Exercise and Resistance Training in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Characterizing Interventions Used to Promote Life Participation in Adults on Peritoneal Dialysis Therapy: A Scoping Review

Background

Living with kidney failure can interfere with life participation (ie, participation in valued life activities). Life participation has recently been identified as a top-priority health outcome of people on peritoneal dialysis therapy, but it is a relatively unexplored topic in peritoneal dialysis.

Objective

The objective is to describe the interventions that have been used to promote life participation in the peritoneal dialysis population and highlight research gaps warranting further investigation.

Design

A scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

Setting

Six electronic databases (MEDLINE [OVID], EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS) were searched.

Patients

Adults aged 18+ years on peritoneal dialysis therapy.

Measurements

Any dedicated scale or subscale that measured life participation as an isolated outcome.

Methods

Title/abstract screening was completed independently after adequate inter-rater reliability (kappa > 0.8) was achieved among reviewers. Full-text review and data extraction were conducted in duplicate. Extracted data were analyzed using counts, percentages, and narrative synthesis to describe patterns in the literature.

Results

After identifying 13 874 results, 17 studies met eligibility criteria. Eight studies were conducted within the past 5 years, with China as the most common study location. Only 2 studies investigated life participation as a primary study outcome. Eight studies targeted personal-physical barriers to life participation, 8 targeted multiple barriers, and 1 targeted an environmental-institutional barrier. Life participation was assessed within a subdomain of a broader quality of life assessment (The Kidney Disease Quality of Life [KDQOL]-36 or the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]) in 11 studies. The majority of assessments captured life participation in all major domains of participation (self-care, work, and leisure).

Limitations

Eligibility screening at title/abstract stage was not performed in duplicate; articles not available in English were excluded.

Conclusions

Life participation has infrequently been prioritized as a health outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD). Interventions have been narrow in focus given the range of challenges faced by people on PD and the holistic approaches used in other clinical populations. Future research should prioritize life participation as a key health outcome in PD and investigate the impact of interventions that address cognitive, affective, and environmental barriers to participation.

Modifiable Physical Factors That Influence Physical Function for People Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis

Introduction

People receiving peritoneal dialysis experience physical function decline, impairing their ability to complete everyday activities, leading to poorer quality of life. Physical factors, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, physical activity, and sedentary behavior are associated with physical function. However, little is known about this relationship, or temporal changes of these factors in this cohort. This study aimed to explore modifiable physical factors that are associated with physical function, identify which factor has the strongest influence, and explore temporal changes.

Methods

Adults receiving peritoneal dialysis underwent objective and self-reported physical function, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, physical activity and sedentary behavior assessments 3 times over a 12-month observation period (at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months).

Results

Eighty-two participants underwent assessments. All modifiable physical factors were predominantly moderate to strongly associated with physical function at baseline. Cardiorespiratory fitness had the strongest and most consistent influence with every meter conferring a 0.08-unit (P < 0.01) and 0.01-unit (P < 0.05) increase in self-report and objective physical function score, respectively. Temporal changes were observed for modifiable physical factors with significant mean changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (-9.8%), quadricep strength (-5%), moderate-to-vigorous (-25.9%) and total (-16.2%) physical activity, and sedentary behavior (+7.1%).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that cardiorespiratory fitness could be routinely monitored to detect risk of physical function decline and targeted through intervention to enhance physical function for people receiving peritoneal dialysis. Nevertheless, all factors should be considered when designing interventions to mitigate temporal changes and induce the numerous health benefits offered by being physically active.

Home-based exercise in dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Lack of exercise may reduce the quality of life, physical capability, and functional capability of dialysis patients. Home-based exercise seems to be a desirable form of low-cost intervention. But the effectiveness of this intervention in the dialysis population is still unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to provide effective evidence to determine the impact of home-based exercise on functional capacity, physical capacity, muscular strength, biochemical parameters, and health-related quality of life among dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 2023, to identify potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of home-based exercise in dialysis patients with ESRD. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane tool. Evidence summary using fixed or random effects for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs including 1008 dialysis patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed significant effects of home-based exercise on physical capacity. Seven studies reported the results of the 6-min walking test, compared with short-term (0-3 months) home-based exercise (P = 0.76), long-term (3-6 months) interventions (P < 0.001) can significantly improve the results of the 6-min walking test. The results showed that home-based exercise did significantly improve patients' VO2 peak (P = 0.007). Compared with center-based exercise or usual care, home exercise did not significantly improve handgrip strength, quality of life or CRP and other biochemical parameters (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that long-term home-based exercise can improve walking ability. In addition, home-based exercise had the benefit on the VO2 peak of ESRD patients receiving dialysis patients. However, there was no statistically significant difference in handgrip strength, health-related quality of life, CRP, and other biochemical parameters.

Physical exercise in kidney disease: A commonly undervalued treatment modality

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor for multiple disorders and a strong association exists between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a sedentary lifestyle. Even though physical activity is crucial in the development and progression of disease, the general focus of the current medical practice is the pharmacological perspective of diseases with inadequate emphasis on lifestyle intervention.

METHODS

In this narrative review we explain the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of physical exercise on CKD in addition to discussing the clinical studies and trials centred on physical exercise in patients with CKD.

RESULTS

Physical activity influences several pathophysiological mechanisms including inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, immune response and macromolecular metabolism. While exercise can initially induce stress responses like inflammation and oxidative stress, long-term physical activity leads to protective countermeasures and overall improved health. Trials in pre-dialysis CKD patients show that exercise can lead to reductions in body weight, inflammation markers and fasting plasma glucose. Furthermore, it improves patients' functional capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life. The effects of exercise on kidney function have been inconsistent in these trials. In haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant patients exercise interventions improve cardiorespiratory fitness, walking capacity and quality of life. Combined training shows the best performance to increase peak oxygen uptake in haemodialysis patients. In kidney transplant recipients, exercise improves walking performance, quality of life and potentially arterial stiffness. However, exercise does not affect glucose metabolism, serum cholesterol and inflammation biomarkers. Long-term, adequately powered trials are needed to determine the long-term feasibility, and effects on quality of life and major clinical outcomes, including mortality and cardiovascular risk, in all CKD stages and particularly in kidney transplant patients, a scarcely investigated population.

CONCLUSION

Physical exercise plays a crucial role in ameliorating inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, immune response and macromolecular metabolism, and contributes significantly to the quality of life for patients with CKD, irrespective of the treatment and stage. Its direct impact on kidney function remains uncertain. Further extensive, long-term trials to conclusively determine the effect of exercise on major clinical outcomes such as mortality and cardiovascular risk remain a research priority.

Subjective cognitive complaints in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cognitive impairment is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is associated with compromised quality of life and functional capacity, as well as worse clinical outcomes. Most previous research and reviews in this area were focused on objective cognitive impairment, whereas patients' subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) have been less well-understood. This systematic review aimed to provide a broad overview of what is known about SCCs in adult ESRD patients. Electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2022, which identified 221 relevant studies. SCCs appear to be highly prevalent in dialysis patients and less so in those who received kidney transplantation. A random-effects meta-analysis also shows that haemodialysis patients reported significantly more SCCs than peritoneal dialysis patients (standardised mean difference -0.20, 95% confidence interval -0.38 to -0.03). Synthesis of longitudinal studies suggests that SCCs remain stable on maintenance dialysis treatment but may reduce upon receipt of kidney transplant. Furthermore, SCCs in ESRD patients have been consistently associated with hospitalisation, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and poorer quality of life. There is limited data supporting a strong relation between objective and subjective cognition but preliminary evidence suggests that this association may be domain-specific. Methodological limitations and future research directions are discussed.

The effect of exercise on vascular health in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This increased risk cannot be fully explained by traditional risk factors such as hypertension. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness have been suggested as factors that explain some of the increased risk and are independently associated with important cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD. Studies in other disease populations have shown the positive effects of exercise on vascular dysfunction. The aim of this review was to determine whether exercise training interventions improve measures of vascular function and morphology in patients across the spectrum of CKD and which exercise training interventions are most efficacious. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register identified 25 randomized controlled trials. Only randomized control trials using an exercise intervention with a nonexercising control group and at least one measure of vascular function or morphology were included. Participants were patients with nondialysis CKD or transplant patients or those requiring dialysis therapy. A systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A meta-analysis was completed for pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and measures of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Data from 25 studies with 872 participants showed that exercise training reduced pulse wave velocity and augmentation index but had no effect on endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Subgroup analyses suggested that exercise interventions of at least moderate intensity were more likely to be effective. Limitations included the absence of observational studies or other interventions aimed at increasing habitual physical activity. Further studies are warranted to investigate which are the most effective exercise interventions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A thorough systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise training on measures of vascular function in patients with chronic kidney disease, including arterial stiffness and endothelial function, were conducted. Subgroup analyses investigated how differences in exercise training, according to frequency, intensity, type, and timing, have an impact on the efficacy of the intervention.

Home-based exercise in patients on maintenance dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

The impact of home-based exercise on physical performance and quality of life (QoL) in patients on maintenance dialysis has not yet been fully established.

METHODS

We searched four large electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the impact of home-based exercise interventions vs. usual care or intradialytic exercise interventions, on physical performance and QoL in patients on dialysis. The meta-analysis was performed using fixed effects modeling.

RESULTS

We included 12 unique RCTs involving 791 patients of various ages on maintenance dialysis. Home-based exercise interventions were associated with an improvement of walking speed at the 6 Minutes Walking Test [6MWT; nine RCTs; pooled weighted mean differences (WMD): 33.7 m, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.8-44.5; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) and in aerobic capacity as assessed by the peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak; 3 RCTs; pooled WMD: 2.04 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 0.25-3.83; P = 0.03; I2 = 0%). They were also associated with improved QoL, as assessed by the Short Form (36) Health (SF-36) score. Stratifying the RCTs by control groups, no significant difference was found between home-based exercise and intradialytic exercise interventions. Funnel plots did not reveal any significant publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that home-based exercise interventions for 3-6 months were associated with significant improvements in physical performance in patients on maintenance dialysis. However, further RCTs with a longer follow-up should be conducted to assess the safety, adherence, feasibility, and effects on QoL of home-based exercise programs in dialysis patients.

Effects of resistance training on sarcopenia in patients with intestinal failure: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The potential effects of resistance training on sarcopenia in patients with intestinal failure (IF) are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a resistance training program on appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), physical performance, body composition, biochemical parameters, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with IF exhibiting sarcopenia.

METHODS

A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted in a Chinese tertiary teaching hospital. Patients with IF exhibiting sarcopenia were randomly assigned to the exercise group or control group. Participants in the exercise group incorporated four sets of resistance training involving the limbs and abdominal and lower back muscles, six times weekly for 4 weeks. The control group received no specific intervention. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in ASMI 4 weeks after intervention. Secondary outcomes included handgrip strength, 6-m gait speed, body composition, biochemical parameters, and HRQOL.

RESULTS

A total of 60 participants (control group 30, age 51.2 ± 12.9 years, women 43.3%; exercise group 30, age 53.9 ± 14.5 years, women 56.7%) completed the 4-week intervention trial. For the primary outcome, significant intervention effects were found in ASMI between the exercise group and the control group (mean difference 0.72, 95% CI, 0.56-0.89, P < 0.001). There were notable differences in handgrip strength (mean difference 2.7, 95% CI, 1.7-3.6, P < 0.001), 6-m gait speed (mean difference 0.08, 95% CI, 0.01-0.35, P = 0.034), body composition (including total cell mass, bone mineral content, skeletal muscle mass, lean mass, visceral fat area, total body water, intracellular water, extracellular water, and segmental water-legs), and biochemical parameters (including IGF-1, prealbumin, and hemoglobin) between the two groups (P < 0.05). No significant intervention benefits were observed for other secondary outcomes, including biochemical parameters (including albumin, total bilirubin, etc.) and HRQOL (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized clinical trial, we observed that 4 weeks of resistance training was associated with improved ASMI, physical performance, biochemical parameters (including IGF-1, prealbumin, and hemoglobin), and body composition in IF patients with sarcopenia. Resistance training can be recommended as a simple and effective method to improve sarcopenia in patients with IF.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2100051727.

Cognitive disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease: Approaches to prevention and treatment

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and early intervention may prevent the progression of this condition.

METHODS

Here, we review interventions for the complications of CKD (anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, metabolic acidosis, harmful effects of dialysis, the accumulation of uremic toxins) and for prevention of vascular events, interventions that may potentially be protective against cognitive impairment. Furthermore, we discuss nonpharmacological and pharmacological methods to prevent cognitive impairment and/or minimize the latter's impact on CKD patients' daily lives.

RESULTS

A particular attention on kidney function assessment is suggested during work-up for cognitive impairment. Different approaches are promising to reduce cognitive burden in patients with CKD but the availabe dedicated data are scarce.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for studies assessing the effect of interventions on the cognitive function of patients with CKD.

Effect of exercise interventions for sleep quality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disorder is a common and unpleasant symptom in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), bringing a heavy burden on the patients and families. As a non-pharmacological therapy, exercise interventions are widely recommended for CKD patients. However, whether exercise can improve overall sleep quality in such a population remains ambiguous. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on sleep quality in CKD patients.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to April 22, 2022. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) added an exercise intervention to conventional treatment/usual care to assess the effect on sleep quality in CKD patients. Two authors independently selected literature, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2, and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. The outcome was analyzed using a random-effect model using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method as a standardized mean difference (SMD). Additional statistical analysis includes the Egger regression test, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles (20 RCTs) enrolling 989 patients with CKD were included. The pooled SMD suggested favorably associated exercise interventions (SMD - 0.16; 95% CI - 0.62 to 0.31; very low evidence) with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 87%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that SMD for sleep quality favored moderate intensity and aerobic exercise, no matter the time, but not statistically significant. Meta-regression showed that the effect size of exercise interventions on sleep quality was not associated with the total sample size, the proportion of males, duration of intervention, mean age, and exercise volume but was associated with baseline sleep scores. In addition, there may be an exercise threshold for the effect of exercise on sleep in CKD patients (i.e., 80 min/week).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exercise interventions may be associated with improved sleep quality in patients with CKD. However, high heterogeneity and a small effect size limit this result. More studies and standardized reporting of exercise intervention characteristics should be conducted in the future to strengthen the most convincing evidence in this field.

Health-Related Quality of Life Sleep Score Predicts Transfer to Hemodialysis among Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Despite the superiority of peritoneal dialysis (PD) over hemodialysis (HD) regarding health-related quality of life (HRQOL), the specific HRQOL domain(s) that predict unplanned HD transfer remains uncertain. In this cohort study, we assessed the HRQOL of 50 outpatients undergoing PD using the Japanese version 1.3 Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form from March 2017 to March 2018 and prospectively analyzed the association of each HRQOL component with HD transfer until June 2021. During the follow-up (41.5 (13.0–50.1) months), 21 patients were transferred to HD. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, PD vintage, urine output, Charlson comorbidity index, and incremental shuttle walking test, a higher sleep score was significantly associated with lower HD transfer rates (HR 0.70 per 10, p = 0.01). An adjusted subdistribution hazard model where elected transition to HD, death, and transplantation were considered competing events of unintended HD transfer that showed sleep score as an exclusive predictor of HD transfer (HR 0.70 per 10, p = 0.002). Our results suggest that sleep score among the HRQOL subscales is instrumental in predicting HD transfer in patients undergoing PD.

Muscle Wasting in Chronic Kidney Disease: Mechanism and Clinical Implications—A Narrative Review

Muscle wasting, known to develop in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a deleterious consequence of numerous complications associated with deteriorated renal function. Muscle wasting in CKD mainly involves dysregulated muscle protein metabolism and impaired muscle cell regeneration. In this narrative review, we discuss the cardinal role of the insulin-like growth factor 1 and myostatin signaling pathways, which have been extensively investigated using animal and human studies, as well as the emerging concepts in microRNA- and gut microbiota-mediated regulation of muscle mass and myogenesis. To ameliorate muscle loss, therapeutic strategies, including nutritional support, exercise programs, pharmacological interventions, and physical modalities, are being increasingly developed based on advances in understanding its underlying pathophysiology.

Physical exercise and peritoneal dialysis: An area yet to be explored

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) is profoundly impaired by their frailty, disability and decreased physical capacity. Especially among older patients, a high prevalence of low physical activity levels and reduced functional performance has been reported. Physical exercise training has been shown to have a beneficial impact, counteracting these same hazardous consequences of inactivity and sedentarism both on CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) treatment. The evidence-based knowledge on the effects of physical exercise on ESKD patients undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) treatment is scarce, even though this is a continually growing population that shares the same risk factors and desired clinical outcomes as the previously mentioned groups of patients. Further investigation will be necessary to clarify whether this exercise-based approach may be suitable for the PD population. This paper's purpose is to review the available literature, including randomized controlled trials, reviews and meta-analysis results that assessed the impact of physical exercise on patients under PD treatment bearing in mind their HRQoL, physical functioning and cardiovascular parameters. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate the perceived significant barriers and limitations of the PD population in what concerns physical exercise practice and how nephrologists should address them.

The impact of amino acid dialysate on anthropometric measures in adult patients on peritoneal dialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Glucose-containing dialysate underpins peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. However, its use is associated with amino acid loss in the dialysis effluent, a risk factor for protein-energy wasting (PEW) in PD patients. Amino acid-based dialysis solutions (AAD) may ameliorate this loss. However, the evidence of clinical benefit in preventing PEW is unclear. The aim of this review was to assess the effect of AAD versus standard dialysis solutions (STD) on anthropometric measures and serum albumin.

METHODS

Studies up until 30 September 2020 were identified from databases including MEDLINE and Embase, using a prespecified protocol (PROSPERO - CRD42020209581). Studies evaluating adults on PD were included. Data pertaining to muscle mass (primary outcome), other anthropometric measures and serum albumin were extracted. A meta-analysis of the eligible studies was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 6945 abstracts were reviewed, from which 14 studies (9 randomised and 5 non-randomised) were included. There was no significant difference in any of the anthropometric measures, between AAD and STD during follow-up. Serum albumin at 6 months was statistically lower with AAD compared to STD [mean difference = -0.89 (95%CI -1.77 to -0.01, p = 0.046)]. The quality of evidence was graded low for each outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

AAD may not alter anthropometric measures when compared to STD. The impact on serum albumin is uncertain, with an estimated difference that is unlikely to be of clinical value. These findings should be cautiously interpreted due to low quality of the evidence. Robust studies are needed to address the limitations in evidence.

The Effect of Non-Pharmacological and Pharmacological Interventions on Measures Associated with Sarcopenia in End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a synthesis of the available evidence for the effects of interventions on outcome measures associated with sarcopenia in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Thirteen databases were searched, supplemented with internet and hand searching. Randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological or pharmacological interventions in adults with ESKD were eligible. Trials were restricted to those which had reported measures of sarcopenia. Primary outcome measures were hand grip strength and sit-to-stand tests. Sixty-four trials were eligible (with nineteen being included in meta-analyses). Synthesised data indicated that intradialytic exercise increased hand grip strength (standardised mean difference, 0.58; 0.24 to 0.91; p = 0.0007; I2 = 40%), and sit-to-stand (STS) 60 score (mean difference, 3.74 repetitions; 2.35 to 5.14; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Intradialytic exercise alone, and protein supplementation alone, resulted in no statistically significant change in STS5 (−0.78 s; −1.86 to 0.30; p = 0.16; I2 = 0%), and STS30 (MD, 0.97 repetitions; −0.16 to 2.10; p = 0.09; I2 = 0%) performance, respectively. For secondary outcomes, L-carnitine and nandrolone-decanoate resulted in significant increases in muscle quantity in the dialysis population. Intradialytic exercise modifies measures of sarcopenia in the haemodialysis population; however, the majority of trials were low in quality. There is limited evidence for efficacious interventions in the peritoneal dialysis and transplant recipient populations.

Effects of a remote patient monitoring system for patients on automated peritoneal dialysis: a randomized crossover controlled trial

Purpose

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has contributed to improved patient-centered outcomes and prognosis in patients with end-stage renal disease on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). However, evidence from prospective trials is lacking.

Methods

The participants (n = 15; median age: 65 years; males: 10; peritoneal dialysis vintage: 6.4 ± 3.5 years) randomly received APD therapy using the Kaguya® APD system either with or without the connective use of the cloud-based RPM software Sharesource® for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction assessed using a modified nine-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM-9) questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were healthcare resource consumption, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) subscales assessed with the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form questionnaire, and clinical laboratory parameters.

Results

Significant improvements were observed in the TSQM-9 subscales of Effectiveness (64.4 ± 18.8 vs. 57.8 ± 18.8; P = 0.006) and Convenience (76.3 ± 15.4 vs. 63.3 ± 17.3; P < 0.001) in patients on Sharesource®. Moreover, Sharesource® reduced the total amount of healthcare resource consumption (0.80 ± 1.32 vs. 1.87 ± 2.39 times/12 weeks; P = 0.02) and consultation time during regular monthly visits (813 ± 269 vs. 1024 ± 292 s; P < 0.001). A significant increase in ultrafiltration volume was found associated with more frequent modification of APD prescription in patients with Sharesource®. Sharesource® also improved the HRQOL subscale of General Health and Vitality.

Conclusion

Sharesource® can improve patient-centered outcomes in patients on APD while reducing the treatment burden for both patients and medical staff.

Trial registration: The study was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT Number: jRCTs032190005).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11255-022-03178-5.

Effects of Different Types of Exercise on Kidney Diseases

The effects of exercise on kidney function have been studied for more than three decades. One of the most common health issues among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a lack of physical activity, which leads to a low exercise capacity in these patients. The majority of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients do not exercise at all. At each stage of dialysis, patients lose 10–12 g of their amino acids through blood sampling. Dialysis also leads to increased cortisol and circadian rhythm sleep disorders in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Studies have also reported higher C-reactive protein levels in HD patients, which causes arterial stiffness. Exercise has a variety of health benefits in these patients, including improved blood pressure control, better sleep, higher physical function, and reduced anxiety and depression. On the other hand, it should be noted that intense exercise has the potential to progress KD, especially when conducted in hot weather with dehydration. This review aimed to investigate the effects of different types of exercise on kidney disease and provide exercise guidelines. In conclusion, moderate-intensity and long-term exercise (for at least a 6-month period), with consideration of the principles of exercise (individualization, intensity, time, etc.), can be used as an adjunctive treatment strategy in patients undergoing dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Exercise training for adults undergoing maintenance dialysis

BACKGROUND

Dialysis treatments weigh heavily on patients' physical and psychosocial health. Multiple studies have assessed the potential for exercise training to improve outcomes in adults undergoing dialysis. However, uncertainties exist in its relevance and sustainable benefits for patient-important outcomes. This is an update of a review first published in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and safety of regular structured exercise training in adults undergoing dialysis on patient-important outcomes including death, cardiovascular events, fatigue, functional capacity, pain, and depression. We also aimed to define the optimal prescription of exercise in adults undergoing dialysis.

SEARCH METHODS

In this update, we conducted a systematic search of the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 23 December 2020. The Register includes studies identified from CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov as well as kidney-related journals and the proceedings of major kidney conferences.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of any structured exercise programs of eight weeks or more in adults undergoing maintenance dialysis compared to no exercise or sham exercise.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed the search results for eligibility, extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Whenever appropriate, we performed random-effects meta-analyses of the mean difference in outcomes. The primary outcomes were death (any cause), cardiovascular events and fatigue. Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, pain, functional capacity, blood pressure, adherence to the exercise program, and intervention-related adverse events.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 89 studies involving 4291 randomised participants, of which 77 studies (3846 participants) contributed to the meta-analyses. Seven studies included adults undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Fifty-six studies reported aerobic exercise interventions, 21 resistance exercise interventions and 19 combined aerobic and resistance training within the same study arm. The interventions lasted from eight weeks to two years and most often took place thrice weekly during dialysis treatments. A single study reported death and no study reported long-term cardiovascular events. Five studies directly assessed fatigue, 46 reported HRQoL and 16 reported fatigue or pain through their assessment of HRQoL. Thirty-five studies assessed functional capacity, and 21 reported resting peripheral blood pressure. Twelve studies reported adherence to exercise sessions, and nine reported exercise-related adverse events. Overall, the quality of the included studies was low and blinding of the participants was generally not feasible due to the nature of the intervention. Exercise had uncertain effects on death, cardiovascular events, and the mental component of HRQoL due to the very low certainty of evidence. Compared with sham or no exercise, exercise training for two to 12 months may improve fatigue in adults undergoing dialysis, however, a meta-analysis could not be conducted. Any exercise training for two to 12 months may improve the physical component of HRQoL (17 studies, 656 participants: MD 4.12, 95% CI 1.88 to 6.37 points on 100 points-scale; I² = 49%; low certainty evidence). Any exercise training for two to 12 months probably improves depressive symptoms (10 studies, 441 participants: SMD -0.65, 95% CI -1.07 to -0.22; I² = 77%; moderate certainty evidence) and the magnitude of the effect may be greater when maintaining the exercise beyond four months (6 studies, 311 participants: SMD -0.30, 95% CI 0.14 to -0.74; I² = 71%). Any exercise training for three to 12 months may improve pain (15 studies, 872 participants: MD 5.28 95% CI -0.12 to 10.69 points on 100 points-scale; I² = 63%: low certainty evidence) however, the 95% CI indicates that exercise training may make little or no difference in the level of pain. Any exercise training for two to six months probably improves functional capacity as it increased the distance reached during six minutes of walking (19 studies, 827 participants: MD 49.91 metres, 95% CI 37.22 to 62.59; I² = 34%; moderate certainty evidence) and the number of sit-to-stand cycles performed in 30 seconds (MD 2.33 cycles, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.96; moderate certainty evidence). There was insufficient evidence to assess the safety of exercise training for adults undergoing maintenance dialysis. The results were similar for aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and a combination of both aerobic and resistance exercise.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

It is uncertain whether exercise training improves death, cardiovascular events, or the mental component of HRQoL in adults undergoing maintenance dialysis. Exercise training probably improves depressive symptoms, particularly when the intervention is maintained beyond four months. Exercise training is also likely to improve functional capacity. Low certainty evidence suggested that exercise training may improve fatigue, the physical component of quality of life, and pain. The safety of exercise training for adults undergoing dialysis remains uncertain.

Home-based aerobic exercise and resistance training for severe chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The potential effects of aerobic and resistance training in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not fully elucidated. This study investigated the effects of a home-based exercise programme on physical functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with Stage 4 CKD, equivalent to estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15-30 mL/min/1.73 m² .

METHODS

Forty-six patients with Stage 4 CKD (median age, 73 years; 33 men) were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 23) and control (n = 23) groups. Exercise group patients performed aerobic exercise at 40-60% peak heart rate thrice weekly and resistance training at 70% of one-repetition maximum twice weekly at home for 6 months. Control patients received no specific intervention. Primary outcomes were distance in incremental shuttle walking test and HRQOL assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included kidney function assessed with combined urea and creatinine clearance, urinary biomarkers, and anthropometric and biochemical parameters associated with CKD.

RESULTS

Improvement in incremental shuttle walking test was significantly greater in the exercise group compared with controls (39.4 ± 54.6 vs. -21.3 ± 46.1; P < 0.001). Among Kidney Disease Quality of Life domains, significant mean differences were observed between the exercise group and the control group in work status, quality of social interaction, and kidney disease component summary outcomes (12.76 ± 5.76, P = 0.03; 5.97 ± 2.59, P = 0.03; and 4.81 ± 1.71, P = 0.007, respectively). There were greater reductions in natural log (ln)-transformed urinary excretion of liver-type fatty acid-binding protein, ln serum C-reactive protein, and acylcarnitine to free carnitine ratio in the exercise group compared with controls, with significant between-group differences of -0.579 ± 0.217 (P = 0.008), -1.13 ± 0.35 (P = 0.003), and -0. 058 ± 0.024 (P = 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our 6 month home-based exercise programme improved aerobic capacity and HRQOL in patients with Stage 4 CKD, with possible beneficial effects on kidney function and CKD-related parameters.

Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Physical Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Randomized Trial

Background and Aims: Exercise is an efficient non-pharmacological intervention for chronic kidney disease. The study aims to evaluate the effects of Baduanjin exercise on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: Seventy PD patients were randomly assigned to either the Baduanjin exercise group or the control group. Fifty-seven patients completed the study (exercise group, 25; control group, 32). The exercise group received the Baduanjin exercise program for 12 weeks. The control group received usual care. Three well-established performance-based tests determined physical function: five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), timed up and go test (TUGT), and handgrip strength (HGS). HRQOL was assessed by the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form. Results: At baseline, no differences in physical function and HRQOL were observed between the Baduanjin exercise and the control group. At follow-up, the Baduanjin exercise group showed a marginally significant improvement in FTSST (P = 0.008) and TUGT (P = 0.040) over the 12 weeks compared to the control group. HRQOL in the Baduanjin exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusions: A 12-week Baduanjin exercise program may improve physical function and HRQOL in PD patients. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if these findings will translate into clinical application.

A pilot randomised controlled trial of a structured, home-based exercise programme on cardiovascular structure and function in kidney transplant recipients: the ECSERT study design and methods

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). CVD risk scores underestimate risk in this population as CVD is driven by clustering of traditional and non-traditional risk factors, which lead to prognostic pathological changes in cardiovascular structure and function. While exercise may mitigate CVD in this population, evidence is limited, and physical activity levels and patient activation towards exercise and self-management are low. This pilot study will assess the feasibility of delivering a structured, home-based exercise intervention in a population of KTRs at increased cardiometabolic risk and evaluate the putative effects on cardiovascular structural and functional changes, cardiorespiratory fitness, quality of life, patient activation, healthcare utilisation and engagement with the prescribed exercise programme.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Fifty KTRs will be randomised 1:1 to: (1) the intervention; a 12week, home-based combined resistance and aerobic exercise intervention; or (2) the control; usual care. Intervention participants will have one introductory session for instruction and practice of the recommended exercises prior to receiving an exercise diary, dumbbells, resistance bands and access to instructional videos. The study will evaluate the feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, retention, assessment procedures and the intervention implementation. Outcomes, to be assessed prior to randomisation and postintervention, include: cardiac structure and function with stress perfusion cardiac MRI, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical function, blood biomarkers of cardiometabolic health, quality of life and patient activation. These data will be used to inform the power calculations for future definitive trials.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol was reviewed and given favourable opinion by the East Midlands-Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee (reference: 19/EM/0209; 14 October 2019). Results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and will be disseminated to the patient and public community via social media, newsletter articles and presentations at conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04123951.

The effect of trichlormethiazide in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients receiving tolvaptan: a randomized crossover controlled trial

The vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan delays the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). However, some patients discontinue tolvaptan because of severe adverse aquaretic events. This open-label, randomized, controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial investigated the effects of trichlormethiazide, a thiazide diuretic, in patients with ADPKD receiving tolvaptan (n = 10) who randomly received antihypertensive therapy with or without trichlormethiazide for 12 weeks. The primary and secondary outcomes included amount and osmolarity of 24-h urine and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) parameters assessed by the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form questionnaire, renal function slope, and plasma/urinary biomarkers associated with disease progression. There was a significant reduction in urine volume (3348 ± 584 vs. 4255 ± 739 mL; P < 0.001) and a significant increase in urinary osmolarity (182.5 ± 38.1 vs. 141.5 ± 38.1 mOsm; P = 0.001) in patients treated with trichlormethiazide. Moreover, trichlormethiazide improved the following HRQOL subscales: effects of kidney disease, sleep, emotional role functioning, social functioning, and role/social component summary. No significant differences were noted in renal function slope or plasma/urinary biomarkers between patients treated with and without trichlormethiazide. In patients with ADPKD treated with tolvaptan, trichlormethiazide may improve tolvaptan tolerability and HRQOL parameters.

Physical exercise and peritoneal dialysis: An area yet to be explored

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) is profoundly impaired by their frailty, disability and decreased physical capacity. Especially among older patients, a high prevalence of low physical activity levels and reduced functional performance has been reported. Physical exercise training has been shown to have a beneficial impact, counteracting these same hazardous consequences of inactivity and sedentarism both on CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) treatment. The evidence-based knowledge on the effects of physical exercise on ESKD patients undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) treatment is scarce, even though this is a continually growing population that shares the same risk factors and desired clinical outcomes as the previously mentioned groups of patients. Further investigation will be necessary to clarify whether this exercise-based approach may be suitable for the PD population. This paper's purpose is to review the available literature, including randomized controlled trials, reviews and meta-analysis results that assessed the impact of physical exercise on patients under PD treatment bearing in mind their HRQoL, physical functioning and cardiovascular parameters. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate the perceived significant barriers and limitations of the PD population in what concerns physical exercise practice and how nephrologists should address them.

Home-Based Exercise for People With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Exercise performed at home could be a useful therapy for people with chronic kidney disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at describing the characteristics, main findings, methodological quality, and adherence rate reported in the existent randomized controlled trials that have provided information regarding the impact of home-based exercise programs on people with chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

Electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and CENTRAL) were searched up to April 2021, using the keywords: "Exercise"; "Home"; "Kidney Disease." Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was adopted. Jadad scale and Cochrane's tool were used to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias.

RESULTS

Out of the 14 studies finally selected, 11 were included in the meta-analysis and most presented high methodological quality. The meta-analysis showed significant effects of home-based exercise on fitness and quality of life, but a little impact on renal function. Although exercise performed at home was mostly feasible and safe, adherence was not high and a considerable number of dropouts were observed.

CONCLUSION

Home-based exercise has positive effects on the fitness' level and on the quality of life on people with chronic kidney disease. Future studies are needed to identify whether exercise performed at home is a better physical therapy option than center-based exercise.

Effects of Home-Based Exercise on Frailty in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

New or worsening frailty is a common problem in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during the prolonged time awaiting kidney transplantation. Structured physical activity in the dialysis setting has been shown to mitigate frailty, but little is known about the benefits of home-based exercise. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the effects of home-based exercise interventions on indicators of frailty (weakness, slowness, low physical activity, perceived exhaustion, and shrinking) among patients diagnosed with ESRD.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar using Medical Subject Heading terms and free text keywords including kidney failure, exercise, and frailty. We identified 13 relevant articles (eight randomized controlled trials, five quasi-experimental studies).

RESULTS

Our review found potential effectiveness of home-based exercise interventions on mitigating or preventing selected indicators of frailty (e.g., weakness, slowness, low physical activity, perceived exhaustion), particularly when the interventions combined aerobic walking, resistance exercise, and behavioral components and were delivered for at least 6 months. However, no published studies measured the effect of home-based exercise interventions on frailty as a whole.

CONCLUSIONS

While existing studies suggest likely benefits of home-based exercise interventions among patients with ESRD, future research is warranted to develop and test home-based physical activity interventions that address all indicators of frailty.

Age, diabetes mellitus, and dialysis modality are associated with risk of poor muscle strength and physical function in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients

Background

Due to the poor outcomes associated with the impairment of physical function and muscle strength in patients on maintenance dialysis, it is important to understand the factors that may influence physical function and muscle strength. The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with physical function in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

Methods

Patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis for at least 3 months, aged 18 years old or above, were enrolled. Physical function was assessed by handgrip strength, gait and sit-to-stand tests, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Clinical and laboratory data were collected to verify the association with physical function parameters through binary logistic regression.

Results

One-hundred ninety patients on maintenance dialysis were included; 140 patients (73.7%) on hemodialysis and 50 (26.3%) on peritoneal dialysis. The mean age was 57.3 ± 14.9 years, 109 (57.4%) were male, and 87 (45.8%) were older than 60 years. The median SPPB was 8.0 points (6.0–10.0 points) and the mean ± standard deviation of handgrip strength was 24.7 ± 12.2 kg. Binary logistic regression showed that age, type of renal replacement therapy, diabetes mellitus, and serum creatinine were significantly associated with both higher 4-meter gait test times and lower SPPB scores. Only age and diabetes mellitus were associated with higher sit-to-stand test times, while age and ferritin were associated with lower handgrip strength.

Conclusion

Age, diabetes mellitus, serum creatinine, and hemodialysis modality are factors related to physical function in dialysis patients.

Exercise training in chronic kidney disease-effects, expectations and adherence

There is increasing evidence showing the health benefits of physical activity, such as better survival and possibly even a slower decline in kidney function, in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is convincing evidence that exercise training improves physical function measured as aerobic capacity, muscle endurance strength and balance at all ages and all stages of CKD. In fact, long-term adherence to well-designed and adequately monitored exercise training programmes is high. In general, patients express interest in exercise training and are motivated to improve their physical function and health. A growing number of nephrologists regard physical activity and exercise training as beneficial to patients with CKD. However, many feel that they do not have the knowledge to prescribe exercise training and suppose that patients are not interested. Patients state that support from healthcare professionals is crucial to motivate them to participate in exercise training programmes and overcome medical, physical and psychological barriers such as frailty, fatigue, anxiety and fear. Equally important is the provision of funding by healthcare providers to ensure adequate prescription and follow-up by trained exercise physiologists for this important non-pharmacological treatment.

Bridging the gap from research to practice for enhanced health-related quality of life in people with chronic kidney disease

Improving the health status of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through physical activity (PA) or exercise interventions is challenging. One of the gaps in the process of translating the general public PA activity guidelines as well as the CKD-specific guidelines into routine clinical practice is the lack of systematic recording and monitoring of PA and physical function attributes, which can also be used to develop individualized and measurable plans of action to promote PA for health. We aim to present an overview of key considerations for PA, physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation in people with CKD, with the aim of encouraging health professionals to integrate assessment of these outcomes in routine practices. Physical inactivity and impaired physical function, sometimes to the extent of physical and social disability levels, and subsequently lower perceived HRQoL, are highly prevalent in this population. Enhanced PA is associated with better physical function that also translates into multiple health benefits. Breaking the vicious circle of inactivity and physical dysfunction as early as possible in the disease trajectory may confer huge benefits and enhanced life satisfaction in the longer term. With this in mind, the importance of PA/exercise interventions in CKD to improve HRQoL is also summarized.

Characteristics of effective home-based resistance training in patients with noncommunicable chronic diseases: a systematic scoping review of randomised controlled trials

Skeletal muscle atrophy, dysfunction, and weakness are consequences of noncommunicable diseases which result in exercise and functional limitations which contribute to poor quality of life and increased mortality. Home-based resistance training may promote skeletal muscle health. Electronic-based systematic searches were performed identifying randomised controlled trials utilising home-based resistance training in patients with noncommunicable diseases defined as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus (type 1 and 2), chronic kidney disease (including dialysis), and chronic respiratory disease (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension). A comparator group was defined as one containing "non-exercise" or "usual care". Of the 239 studies identified (published between 1996 and 2020), 22 met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies contained an adjunct aerobic training component. Study designs and outcome measures showed large variation. Reporting of the principles of training applied within interventions was poor. Heterogeneity in study characteristics, and poor reporting of training characteristics, prevents formal recommendations for optimising home-based resistance training. However, home-based interventions are less resource-intensive than supervised programmes and appear to have the ability to improve or preserve pertinent outcomes such as strength, functional ability, and quality of life; potentially reducing the risk of mortality in patients with chronic disease.

Exercise Parameters Predict Technique Survival in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

OBJECTIVE

The incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) is an important marker of aerobic capacity in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to evaluate its predictive value for PD-related outcomes.

METHODS

This single-center cohort study recruited outpatients on maintenance PD from our hospital between March 2017 and March 2018. Exercise capacity was assessed using measurement of ISWT and handgrip and quadriceps strength. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median of exercise capacity and prospectively followed up until cessation of PD, death, or the study end (October 2019). The primary end point of this study was technique survival rate, and secondary outcomes were rates of peritonitis-free survival and PD-related hospitalization-free survival.

RESULTS

Among the 50 participants, age and PD vintage were [median (IQR)] 62.5 (58.3-70) and 3.5 (1.3-6.5) years, respectively. At the end of the study, 3 of the 28 participants (11%) in the long-ISWT group and 13 of the 22 participants (59%) in the short-ISWT group were transferred to hemodialysis. The short-ISWT group showed lower technique survival rate (p < 0.001), peritonitis-free survival rate (p = 0.01), and PD-related hospitalization-free survival rate (p < 0.01) than the long-ISWT group, whereas those survival rates did not differ when participants were divided by handgrip or quadriceps strength. Multivariate analysis revealed lower ISWT to be independently associated with technique failure (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The ISWT is an important predictor of technique survival for patients on PD. Monitoring and enhancing ISWT as a marker of aerobic capacity might improve PD-related outcomes.

Advances in exercise therapy in predialysis chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by poor levels of physical activity which contribute to increased morbidity across the disease trajectory. The short nature, small samples, and poor methodology across most studies have failed to translate the role of exercise in CKD into its adoption as a frontline adjunct therapeutic option. This review focuses on recent advances surrounding the benefits of exercise interventions across the CKD spectrum.

RECENT FINDINGS

Key recent advances in exercise studies have focused on the efficacy of novel intervention strategies across the CKD spectrum. These include high-intensity interval training, virtual reality gaming, intradialytic yoga, electrical stimulation of muscles, blood flow restriction training, and protocols combining exercise with nutritional supplementation. Research is also beginning to explore the role of prehabilitation for patients prior to dialysis and kidney transplantation.

SUMMARY

Studies continue to demonstrate wide-ranging benefits of exercise across CKD; however, implementation of exercise remains scarce. Future research needs include evaluating the efficacy of larger and/or more comprehensive interventions on clinically important outcomes. It is hoped with increasing global evidence, high-quality clinical studies, and sustained clinician and patient engagement, exercise programs will become better prioritized in the nephrology field.

An Exercise Program for Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in the United States: A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

People with end-stage kidney disease receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) are generally physically inactive and frail. Exercise studies in PD are scarce and currently there are no PD exercise programs in the United States. The primary objective of this study was to test the feasibility of a combined resistance and cardiovascular exercise program for PD patients under the care of a dedicated home dialysis center in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

Parallel randomized controlled feasibility study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

PD patients were recruited from a single center and randomly assigned to the intervention (exercise; n = 18) or control (nonexercise; n = 18) group.

INTERVENTION

The intervention group received monthly exercise physiologist consultation, exercise prescription (resistance and aerobic exercise program using exercise bands), and 4 exercise support telephone calls over 12 weeks. The control group received standard care.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was study feasibility as measured by eligibility rates, recruitment rates, retention rates, adherence rates, adverse events, and sustained exercise rates. Secondary outcome measures were changes in physical function (sit-to-stand test, timed-up-and-go test, and pinch-strength tests) and patient-reported outcome measures.

RESULTS

From a single center with 75 PD patients, 57 (76%) were deemed eligible, resulting in a recruitment rate of 36 (63%) patients. Participants were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 18 (1:1). 10 patients discontinued the study (5 in each arm), resulting in 26 (72%) patients, 13 in each arm, completing the study. 10 of 13 (77%) intervention patients were adherent to the exercise program. A t test analysis of covariance found a difference between the treatment groups for the timed-up-and-go test (P = 0.04) and appetite (P = 0.04). No serious adverse events caused by the exercise program were reported.

LIMITATIONS

Single center, no blinded assessors.

CONCLUSIONS

A resistance and cardiovascular exercise program appears feasible and safe for PD patients. We recommend that providers of PD therapy consider including exercise programs coordinated by exercise professionals to reduce the physical deterioration of PD patients.

FUNDING

None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03980795.

The Impact of Home-Based Exercise Program on Physical Function of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Home-based exercise program showed the potential in improving physical function of chronic kidney disease patients, and it might need low associated costs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the impact of home-based exercise program on physical function of chronic kidney disease patients.

Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. This meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of home-based exercise program on physical function of chronic kidney disease patients. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcomes were 6-min walk test and grip strength change.

Results Seven RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention in chronic kidney disease patients, home-based exercise program could significantly improve 6-min walk test (MD=79.01; 95% CI=22.39–135.62; P=0.006) and grip strength (SMD=0.52; 95% CI=0.14–0.89; P=0.007), but showed no impact on pain scores (SMD=−1.43; 95% CI=−3.75 to 0.88; P=0.22), Kidney Disease Quality of life including symptom/problem list (SMD=1.92; 95% CI=−1.06 to 4.90; P=0.21), effects of kidney disease (SMD=−3.69; 95% CI=−8.56 to 1.19; P=0.14), or burden of kidney disease (SMD=1.04; 95% CI=−0.75 to 2.82; P=0.26).

Conclusions Home-based exercise program might improve physical function for chronic kidney disease, and more RCTs should be conducted to confirm this issue.

Effects of exercise on residual renal function in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: A post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial

We aimed to investigate the effects of exercise on renal outcomes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). In a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week home-based exercise program involving 47 patients undergoing PD, we excluded 18 patients with anuria and analyzed 13 and 16 patients in the usual care and exercise groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were weekly renal creatinine clearance (CCr) and urinary biomarkers: liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and the microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Although the maintenance of weekly renal CCr in the exercise group was not significantly different compared with that in the usual care group (P = .09), urinary L-FABP levels (P = .02) and ACR (P = .04) were significantly decreased in the exercise group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the beneficial effects of exercise on renal outcomes in patients undergoing PD.