RecruitingNot Applicable

Kidney Transplant Improvement Through New Exercise Training to Increase Capacity

United States60 participantsStarted 2026-03-24

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a home-based exercise program can be safely and feasibly used to improve physical activity and physical function in adults waiting for a kidney transplant. The study will also learn how acceptable and useful this program is for participants. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can a remote exercise program be delivered successfully to people on the kidney transplant waiting list? * Do participants follow the exercise program and wear a physical activity tracker as asked? * Is the program safe and well tolerated? Researchers will compare two groups to see if the exercise program leads to higher physical activity and better physical function: * Usual pre-transplant care with a physical activity tracker * Usual pre-transplant care plus an online exercise program Participants will: * Wear a wrist activity tracker to measure daily physical activity * Complete a one-week baseline period before being assigned to a study group * Be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to one of two groups * If assigned to the exercise group, take part in online exercise classes at home for 12 weeks with reminders and feedback, and then another 12 weeks without reminders and feedback * Answer questionnaires about their health, activity, and experience in the study This study may help researchers learn how to better support people waiting for kidney transplant through safe, home-based exercise programs.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * be at least 60 years old * receive transplant care at Penn Medicine * be on the kidney transplant waiting list * speak and comprehend English * be able to walk * have at least one physical function limitation OR at least one frailty metric * have access to a device capable of connecting to the Internet and downloading an application * be able to provide written informed consent * be cleared for participant via the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ) verified against medical record or via written medical clearance from a clinician Exclusion Criteria: * Have had a myocardial infarction or a stroke in the 3 months immediately prior to enrollment * Be unable to self-monitor with study devices (i.e., have a condition such as dementia) * Not cleared by PARQ or receive written medical clearance to exercise * Participate in another physical activity study * Have any other reason they do not expect to be able to complete the study

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Enrollment efficiency and Retention

Timeframe: Enrollment efficiency time period is study duration (anticipate up to 20 moths) and retention is 12 weeks of intervention period

Acceptability of the Intervention

Timeframe: 12-weeks after randomization

Adherence

Timeframe: 12 weeks after randomization

Adverse Events Related to Intervention

Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks after randomization

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07446296

SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-03

Contact for this trial

Sarah Schrauben, MD, MSCE

2156628730 sarahsch@upenn.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Kidney Disease 5D trials