RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exercise Preconditioning to Protect Against Dialysis-induced Cardiac Injury

This study is investigating if a bit of cycling just before your regular kidney dialysis treatment can help protect your heart. When you have dialysis, your heart muscle can sometimes get a bit tired, which doctors call 'stunning'. This means it doesn't pump blood quite as strongly for a short while. Researchers want to find out if cycling beforehand can reduce this heart stunning. They also want to see if this simple exercise can help reduce some of the common symptoms people experience during and after dialysis, making the treatment more comfortable. The aim is to see if this could become an easy way to look after your heart if you're on dialysis.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Enrolment target

Start

20 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Hemodialysis Cardioprotection

What is this study about?

When people have kidney dialysis, their hearts sometimes have to work extra hard. This can temporarily make the heart muscle pump a little less effectively, a bit like a muscle getting tired after a workout. Doctors call this 'stunning' of the heart, and over time, it could potentially lead to problems like heart failure.

This study wants to explore a simple idea: could doing some light exercise, like cycling, just before your dialysis session help protect your heart? Researchers are hoping that this 'pre-conditioning' exercise might make your heart stronger and more resilient, so it's less affected by the demands of dialysis.

If cycling before dialysis proves to be helpful, it could become a straightforward and free way to improve heart health for many people undergoing dialysis. This study is an important step in figuring out if this simple activity can make a real difference to how you feel during treatment and protect your heart long-term.

Key takeaways

Exploring if cycling before dialysis protects the heart.
Aims to reduce temporary heart 'stunning' during treatment.
Hopes to lessen common dialysis symptoms.
Could offer a simple, non-drug way to improve heart health.
Participation involves supervised pre-dialysis cycling and heart checks.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 79 years old and have been on regular kidney dialysis for at least three months. It's important that both you and your dialysis doctor agree that it's safe for you to do some exercise.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you already do intense exercise regularly, or if you've had a recent heart attack, unstable chest pain, or serious heart rhythm problems. You also can't take part if you get very short of breath often, have very low blood sugar often, or if your doctors can't get clear ultrasound pictures of your heart to study it properly.

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 between 18 and 79 years old?
Have you been on regular dialysis for at least 3 months?
Is your dialysis doctor happy for you to exercise lightly?
Do you not regularly do intense exercise outside of dialysis?
Have you not had a recent heart attack or unstable chest pain?
Do you not get severe shortness of breath or frequent low blood sugar?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you will be asked to cycle for a short period just before some of your dialysis sessions. This will be compared to sessions where you don't cycle beforehand. The study will involve having your heart checked with special scans (like an ultrasound of your heart) before and after these sessions to see how it's working. You'll also be asked about any symptoms you experience during dialysis. The team will explain exactly what's involved during each visit, and they will be there to support you. The total duration of your participation in the study will be explained in detail by the research team.

Potential risks and benefits

It's hoped that taking part might help your heart health and reduce some dialysis symptoms, but there's no guarantee. You might not directly benefit from being in the study, but your participation will help doctors learn more about how to best care for dialysis patients in the future. As with any exercise, there's always a very small risk of discomfort or minor injury, but the exercise will be supervised and tailored to your ability. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care.

Locations (1)

London Health Sciences Centre
Verified postcode
London, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'heart stunning'?

It's when your heart muscle temporarily gets a bit tired and doesn't pump quite as strongly as usual during dialysis.

Will the cycling be difficult?

The cycling is expected to be light exercise, and it will be carefully overseen by the medical team to make sure it's safe and comfortable for you.

Do I have to change my medicines?

No, this study is about exercise before dialysis, not about changing your current medications.

How long will I be in the study?

The research team will tell you the exact duration of your participation, including how many times you'll need to cycle and have tests.

What happens if I decide to stop?

You are free to leave the study at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Jarrin Penny, PhD, RN, CNeph (C)

jarrin.penny@lhsc.on.ca 519-685-8500 Official trial record

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