The GFR-Exercise Feasibility Study – GFR-Ex
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exercise Training and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Study. The GFR-Exercise Feasibility Study.
IRAS ID
241932
Contact name
Sharlene Greenwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
There are many causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and it has been recognised for many years that kidney dysfunction often progresses to total kidney failure. People with CKD have approximately 50% of the exercise capacity of normal sedentary individuals and are unable to participate in the same activities as healthy people. Physical inactivity doubles the risk of developing heart disease but, unlike people with other long-term conditions, people with kidney disease are not generally offered exercise rehabilitation. Physiotherapists are best placed to initiate prescribed exercise for this patient population. \n\nThe main aim of this study is to determine if it feasible to recruit, randomise and retain participants in a study that utilises the gold standard measure of kidney function (mGFR), to explore whether an exercise training intervention for 12 months has the potential to slow down the progression of kidney disease for patients who haven’t yet reached the stage where they require regular haemodialysis – which is very restrictive, debiliating and costly, compared with usual care for patients at this stage of the disease process. If this study shows exercise results in improved or preserved kidney function, delaying or preventing progression to kidney failure, heamodialysis and kidney transplantation, this would give an additional treatment option that would have a major impact on individual’s health, quality of life and long term prognosis. This study team hopes to use the results of this study to plan a multi-centre RCT examining the efficacy of exercise training to retard CKD progression.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0852
Date of REC Opinion
9 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion