Digital physical intervention in patients with polycystic kidney disease: A randomised controlled trial
The results of a study, supported by Kidney Research UK and The PKD Charity, looking at the use of an education and physical activity digital health intervention specifically for people with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), have been published in Clinical Kidney Journal.
About the study
For individuals living with PKD, low levels of physical activity contribute to poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
In this study, 60 adults with PKD, from 11 UK kidney centres, were randomly assigned to either the PKD-specific educational and physical activity digital health intervention or a control group receiving usual care. After 12 weeks, researchers compared changes in measures of mental HRQoL and found important improvements in patients in the intervention group. This included better emotional wellbeing and increased energy.
Although physical function did not improve for all patients, there was an important improvement in self-management behaviour. Six of the patients involved in the study also completed interviews, reporting positive outcomes for self-management, building on new skills and knowledge and peer support.
Overall, these results show that a PKD-specific digital health intervention has the potential to support the well-being of those living with PKD.
Professor Sharlene Greenwood, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Kidney Beam, said: “Despite its benefits, there has been limited support for people living with PKD to engage in physical activity. To make sure Kidney BEAM is accessible for all UK kidney patients, we have designed a PKD-specific digital health intervention and are pleased to see initial improvements in health-related quality of life for people with this inherited condition. We hope to see this intervention offered to all PKD patients as part of their routine kidney care, and want to dedicate the achievement to the late Tess Harris, previously CEO of the PKD Charity, who was integral in championing and organising the study.”
Read more about the study
You can read more about the study on the Kidney Research UK website, and the research in full in via Clinical Kidney Journal here.