RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

A Multimodal Integrated Intervention for Kidney Cachexia

This study investigates a new approach for people with advanced kidney disease on dialysis who are experiencing 'kidney cachexia'. This condition causes severe muscle loss, weakness, and tiredness. There isn't a standard treatment for it yet. Researchers want to see if combining three things – a tailored exercise plan, healthy eating advice, and fish oil supplements – can help. They will compare this combined treatment to the usual care patients receive. The goal is to find out if this approach can improve muscle strength, physical activity, and quality of life for these patients, and whether it can be practically used in clinics. The study will run for 12 weeks, tracking changes in participants' health and well-being.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Queen's University, Belfast

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2027

Cachexia CKD

What is this study about?

If you have advanced kidney disease and are on dialysis, you might experience a condition called 'kidney cachexia'. This can mean you lose a lot of muscle, feel weak, tired, and might not have much appetite. It can really affect your daily life and make you more likely to go into hospital.

Currently, there isn't one agreed-upon treatment for kidney cachexia. While exercise alone hasn't always been enough to stop muscle wasting in long-term illnesses, combining different treatments seems to work better. For example, similar combinations have shown promise in other conditions like cancer.

This study wants to test a 'multi-modal integrated intervention' – which simply means putting together different treatments that work in different ways. We're looking at an exercise programme, dietary advice, and anti-inflammatory supplements (like fish oils) to see if this combination can help people with kidney cachexia. We want to find out if this approach is better than just getting standard care, and if it's something that can be easily used in hospitals to help patients feel better and stronger.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new way to help people with muscle loss due to advanced kidney disease.
It combines exercise, diet advice, and fish oil supplements.
The goal is to improve strength, energy, and quality of life.
Participants will either receive this combined treatment or their usual care for 12 weeks.
The study aims to see if this approach is effective and practical for use in hospitals.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have very advanced kidney disease (Stage 5) and have been receiving dialysis for at least three months. You might be suitable if you've recently lost a significant amount of weight that isn't due to swelling, or if your body weight is quite low for your height. We're also interested if you feel your strength has gone down, you're tired a lot, or your appetite has decreased.

However, there are certain situations where you wouldn't be able to join. For instance, if you've only just started dialysis, if your weight loss has a clear medical reason like a stomach blockage, or if you're taking certain medications like blood thinners or medicines that affect your immune system. You also can't join if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have severe memory problems or certain mental health conditions that aren't stable, or if your doctors think you might not live for at least another six months.

We also can't include you if you've recently used fish oil supplements or taken part in another study involving exercise or fish oil. If you have severe heart failure, are considering stopping dialysis, might get a kidney transplant soon, or can't understand and speak English well enough to give informed consent and participate, you wouldn't be able to join either. Our aim is to ensure the study is safe and appropriate for everyone involved.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have advanced kidney disease (Stage 5) and receive dialysis for at least 3 months?
Have you noticed muscle loss, reduced strength, or increased tiredness?
Are you currently not taking blood thinners, certain immune-system medicines, or regular fish oil supplements?
Are you able to speak and understand English well enough to participate and give consent?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be placed into one of two groups. One group will continue with their usual kidney care. The other group will receive additional support over 12 weeks: this includes a personal exercise plan, advice on healthy eating, and anti-inflammatory supplements (like fish oil).

Throughout the 12 weeks, the research team will regularly check your physical ability, measure your muscle mass and body weight, and ask about your quality of life and how you're feeling. They will also keep track of how many people complete the different parts of the study. After 12 weeks, you might be asked to take part in an interview about your experiences, which helps us understand how to improve the support provided.

The study involves regular assessments and commitment to the exercise plan, diet advice, or supplements for 12 weeks. You are free to stop participating at any time.

Potential risks and benefits

There is no guarantee that taking part in this study will directly benefit you, but the information we gather could help improve care for future patients with kidney cachexia. Potential benefits for those in the treatment group might include improvements in muscle strength, energy levels, and overall well-being. As with any exercise programme or supplement, there are potential risks, such as minor muscle soreness from exercise or mild digestive upset from supplements; these will be discussed in detail by the study team. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Verified postcode
Antrim, United Kingdom· Recruiting
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Verified postcode
Belfast, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'kidney cachexia'?

It's a condition where people with advanced kidney disease lose a lot of muscle, feel weak, and are very tired, often due to their illness.

What does 'multi-modal integrated intervention' mean?

It simply means combining several different treatments together – in this case, exercise, healthy eating advice, and anti-inflammatory supplements (like fish oil).

How long will the study last if I take part?

The main part of the study where you receive interventions or are monitored will last for 12 weeks.

Will I have to do all the treatments?

If you are in the treatment group, you will receive an individual exercise plan, dietary advice, and fish oil supplements. If you are in the control group, you will continue with your usual kidney care.

What if I decide I don't want to continue?

You are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, and it will not affect your ongoing medical care.

How to find out more

Joanne Reid, PhD

j.reid@qub.ac.uk 02890972459 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.