Benefits of a Renal Rehabilitation Program Adapted to Uremic Patients on Daily Hemodialysis at Low Dialysate Flow Rate.

The concept of renal rehabilitation has become increasingly important with the increasing age of patients with severe or even terminal chronic kidney disease (CKD). It combines physical exercise and nutritional monitoring programs for patients with terminal CKD who are most often treated with conventional hemodialysis (HD) at a rate of 3 sessions of 4 hours per week.

Sarcopenia is a very common phenomenon in patients with CKD. The prevalence found in recent meta-analyses varies between 25.6 and 28.5% in patients treated with dialysis. It is even higher in patients treated with HD than in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Younger and more active patients will more often choose PD. The conventional HD modality preserves residual renal function less well, which is important for better elimination of uremic toxins bound to plasma proteins. Conventional HD requires a higher immobilization time and causes more post-dialysis symptoms, leaving less time for the patient to be physically active.

The phenomenon of sarcopenia is not insignificant. It is associated in dialysis patients with a higher mortality rate (risk x 1.8) and a higher incidence of cardiovascular events (risk x 3.8). The association with higher mortality is well demonstrated for the 2 main components of sarcopenia, namely reduced muscle mass and reduced muscle strength. Sarcopenia also increases the risk of falls and fractures, it decreases the physical performance of patients and their ability to perform activities of daily living. The quality of life of patients is reduced and the probability of social placement is high.

The phenomena of sarcopenia and physical deconditioning are even more problematic in patients in HD after an acute medical problem. The need for rehabilitation is even higher. "Classical" HD treatment can be a burden for these patients, leaving no room for integrating a complete rehabilitation program.

Daily low dialysate flow rate hemodialysis (LDF) is a type of hemodialysis in which patients benefit from more frequent but shorter and hemodynamically better tolerated HD sessions. This new technique potentially presents certain advantages over conventional HD, particularly at the cardiovascular level: better blood pressure control and better reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy. LDF also allows better control of hyperphosphatemia with a reduced need for phosphorus binders. Thanks to more frequent dialysis (5 to 6 sessions per week), inter-dialytic weight gain is often less significant, allowing less aggressive ultrafiltration, with better hemodynamic tolerance, and better post-dialysis recovery. In this perspective, this study aims to examine the interest of integrating HDQ dialysis into a renal rehabilitation program in patients with terminal CKD whose dialysis must continue after an acute event requiring hospitalization. The investigators want to study whether this technique allows the implementation of a more effective rehabilitation program, while maintaining the same dialysis efficiency as with the conventional HD technique. To the investigator's knowledge, no study concerning patients under HDQ has been conducted during their renal rehabilitation phase.

The objectives of the current study are:

• To study the interest of integrating HDQ dialysis into a renal rehabilitation program in patients with terminal CKD.
• To study the efficacy and tolerance of HDQ dialysis and the rehabilitation program in these patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Sarcopenia; Rehabilitation Program; Chronic Kidney Disease Requiring Hemodialysis
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Low flow rate hemodialysis; Other: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation program

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Joris Vanparys, MD; Phone Number: +32 2475 52 64; Email: Joris.VANPARYS@chu-brugmann.be

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Brussels, Belgium, 1020
    • Recruiting
    • CHU Brugmann
    • Contact: Joris Vanparys, MD; Phone Number: +3227455264; Email: Joris.VANPARYS@chu-brugmann.be
    • Principal Investigator: Joris Vanparys, MD
    • Sub-Investigator: Laura Leahu, MD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• patient with terminal chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis treatment
• patient recently hospitalized for an acute medical event.

Exclusion Criteria:

• dementia/mild cognitive impairment (MMSE < 20/30)
• decompensated psychiatric pathology and/or behavioral disorders
• pregnant woman
• recovery of renal function allowing interruption of helodialysis sessions
• candidate for neurological rehabilitation
• patient with recent spinal cord injury
• patient with absolute and/or relative contraindication to performing a stress test
• severe or poorly tolerated cardiac rhythm disorder
• severe or symptomatic obstruction to left ventricular ejection
• decompensated heart failure
• acute myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis
• acute aortic dissection
• high-risk emboligenic intracardiac thrombus
• significant stenosis of the common trunk
• ventricular aneurysm
• supraventricular tachycardia with poorly controlled ventricular rate, acquired high-degree or complete block
• obstructive cardiomyopathy with high resting gradient
• recent stroke or TIA
• acute venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism
• poorly controlled clinical condition, such as marked anemia, significant electrolyte disturbance, hyperthyroidism, etc.
• lack of cooperation from the patient
• Blood pressure > 200/110 mmHg

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Hemodialysis patients; Patients under hemodialysis	Procedure: Low flow rate hemodialysis; Low flow rate hemodialysis five times per week; Other: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation program; Tailor made rehabilitation program

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hand grip test	Grip strength (measured by means of a dynamometer) is recommended as a good simple measure of muscle strength. Low grip strength is a powerful predictor of poor patient outcomes such as longer hospital stays, increased functional limitations, poor health-related quality of life and death. Cut-off points for men <27 kg Cut-off points for women <16 kg	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Hand grip test	Grip strength (measured by means of a dynamometer) is recommended as a good simple measure of muscle strength. Low grip strength is a powerful predictor of poor patient outcomes such as longer hospital stays, increased functional limitations, poor health-related quality of life and death. Cut-off points for men <27 kg Cut-off points for women <16 kg	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Short physical performance battery test (SPPB)	The short physical performance battery (SPPB) is a group of measures that combines the results of the gait speed, chair stand and balance tests. It has been used as a predictive tool for possible disability. The scores range from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance). The SPPB has been shown to have predictive validity showing a gradient of risk for mortality, nursing home admission, and disability. The maximum score is 12 points, and a score of ≤ 8 points indicates poor physical performance.	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Short physical performance battery test (SPPB)	The short physical performance battery (SPPB) is a group of measures that combines the results of the gait speed, chair stand and balance tests. It has been used as a predictive tool for possible disability. The scores range from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance). The SPPB has been shown to have predictive validity showing a gradient of risk for mortality, nursing home admission, and disability. The maximum score is 12 points, and a score of ≤ 8 points indicates poor physical performance.	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
Six minutes walking test (6 MWT)	The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a commonly used test to assess functional exercise capacity. It evaluates the functional capacity of the individual and it provides information over the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, blood circulation, neuromuscular system, body metabolism, and peripheral circulation. An increase in the distance walked indicates improvement in basic mobility. In the geriatric population: Small meaningful change 20 m, Substantial meaningful change 50 m.	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Six minutes walking test (6 MWT)	The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a commonly used test to assess functional exercise capacity. It evaluates the functional capacity of the individual and it provides information over the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, blood circulation, neuromuscular system, body metabolism, and peripheral circulation. An increase in the distance walked indicates improvement in basic mobility. In the geriatric population: Small meaningful change 20 m, Substantial meaningful change 50 m.	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
Muscle ultrasound conclusion	Assessment of pennate muscles such as the quadriceps femoris can detect a decrease in muscle thickness and cross-sectional area within a relatively short period of time, the use of ultrasound has been expanded in clinical practice to support the diagnosis of sarcopenia in older adults.	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Muscle ultrasound conclusion	Assessment of pennate muscles such as the quadriceps femoris can detect a decrease in muscle thickness and cross-sectional area within a relatively short period of time, the use of ultrasound has been expanded in clinical practice to support the diagnosis of sarcopenia in older adults.	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
SF-36	Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Standardised questionnaire measuring quality of life, reporting a physical componant summary score and a mental componant summary score, both ranging from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating more disability and higher scores indicating less disability.	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
SF-36	Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Standardised questionnaire measuring quality of life, reporting a physical componant summary score and a mental componant summary score, both ranging from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating more disability and higher scores indicating less disability.	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
Kt/V	Blood test evaluating the quality of the dialysis on weekly basis	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Kt/V	Blood test evaluating the quality of the dialysis on weekly basis	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
Myostatin blood levels	Blood levels of Myostatin (sarcopenia biomarker)	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Myostatin blood levels	Blood levels of Myostatin (sarcopenia biomarker)	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
Activin A blood levels	Blood levels of Activin A (sarcopenia biomarker)	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
Activin A blood levels	Blood levels of Activin A (sarcopenia biomarker)	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission
IGF1 blood levels	Blood levels of IGF1 (biomarker)	At admission in the rehabilitation ward
IGF1 blood levels	Blood levels of IGF1 (biomarker)	At discharge from the rehabilitation ward, in general up to 24 weeks after admission

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Brugmann University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Joris Vanparys, MD, CHU Brugmann

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 13, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 25, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 17, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 9, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Sarcopenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: REVADIAL

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No