A structured, home-based exercise programme in kidney transplant recipients (ECSERT): A randomised controlled feasibility study.
Billany, R. E., et alPLoS ONE [Electronic Resource] 2025; 20(2): e0316031.
Aims
This study aimed to determine whether it was feasible to deliver a 12-week home-based excercise programme to kidney transplant recipients who are at higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
Interventions
Participants were randomised to two groups: the intervention group, in which patients received a 12-week home-based exercise programme that included a combination of aerobic and resistance training; and the control group, where patients received guideline-directed care.
Participants
50 adut kidney transplant recipients >1-year post-transplantation.
Outcomes
The main feasibility outcomes included recruitment rate, adherence to the exercise programme and attrition rate. Other feasibility outcomes included eligibility, acceptability of randomisation, compliance with the exericise programme, outcome acceptability, safety and adverse events, and direct patient feedback.
Follow-up
6 months
CET Conclusions
This is an interesting study and a well-written report. The authors investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based exercise programme for established kidney transplant recipients. The study was randomised and understandably the treatment allocation could not be blinded, but outcome assessors were blinded to treatment arm. The assessment period lasted for 12 weeks. The study recruitment rate passed the set threshold of 20%, with 55% of kidney transplant recipients being eligible. 92% of included patients completed the follow-up assessments. Patients returned self-recorded exercise diaries, showing average 4.3 exercise sessions per week. The feedback from patients taking part in the exercise programme was very positive and supportive. The study shows that this programme is feasible, with an excellent rate of recruiting eligible patients. The rate of attrition was low over the short period of supervision, and the patient-reported activity levels were very good. A longer trial is required to assess maintained physical activity levels, with or without continued support, and any direct measurable impact of the specific programme on health status.
Data analysis
Per protocol analysis
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT04123951