The PACKD Study version 1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Physical Activity for Children with Kidney Disease: The PACKD Study

• IRAS ID

  359801

• Contact name

  Karen McConnell

• Contact email

  k.mcconnell@qub.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Queen’s University Belfast

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 17 days

• Research summary

  Aim:
  This research aims to explore physical activity from the perspectives of children and young people aged 7-17 years with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their parent(s)/carer(s).
  
  Introduction:
  Physical activity is important to maintain physical and mental health. Research recommends physical activity for people with CKD to improve symptoms, increase quality of life and reduce all-case mortality. However, children with CKD do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines and participate in less physical activity than their peers without CKD. Barriers to participation have been reported by adults with CKD but have not yet been explored in children with CKD and their families.

  Phase 1: Qualitative Interviews:
  Fifteen children and young people aged 7-17 years old and their parents/carers will be recruited from the complex renal clinical at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. They will be interviewed to understand their perceptions, experiences and enjoyment of physical activity. Interviews with children and young people will last around 30 minutes and will use an elicitation method called 'Write, Draw, Show and Tell' to help them share their views. Parents/carers will be interviewed separately about their child’s ability and interest in physical activity. These interviews will also last 30 minutes.
  
  Phase 2: Research World Café workshop:
  Fifty stakeholders including children and young people with CKD, their families, healthcare professionals and relevant organisations will take part in a workshop to (1) hear results of phase 1 and (2) participate in priority-setting activities to inform the co-design of a physical activity strategy/intervention for children and young people with CKD. This workshop will last up to three hours. At the workshop, participants will be sorted into groups to discuss set issues/questions at their tables.

  This study is funded by the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund (NIKRF) with the support of Queen's University Belfast.
  

• REC name

  South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/SC/0283

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Sep 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion