A 12-week telehealth-supported home-based exercise program improves functional capacity and patient-reported outcomes in non-dialysis stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease.

Q: What is the primary outcome of this study?

The primary outcome is change in 6-minute walk test distance, a measure of functional capacity.

Q: How many participants completed the study?

51 participants completed the study (exercise group: n=25, control group: n=26).

Q: What type of exercise program was used?

A 12-week telehealth-supported home-based exercise program, with 40% using a web-based platform and 60% receiving video-based support.

Q: Did the exercise program improve sleep quality?

Yes, significant improvements in sleep quality were observed in the exercise group compared to controls.

In a randomized controlled trial of 54 non-dialysis CKD patients, a 12-week telehealth-supported home-based exercise program significantly improved 6-minute walk test distance compared to usual care (+29.41 m vs -19.27 m, P < .001). Significant improvements were also observed in sarcopenia risk, fatigue, mood symptoms, sleep quality, physical performance, and quality of life.

Last updated: Sep 1, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100

Human RCT★★☆☆☆

Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆

Mechanism★★★★★

Safety★★★★☆

Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effects of a telehealth-supported home-based exercise program on functional capacity, sarcopenia risk, and patient-reported outcomes in non-dialysis stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease.

rct

Yıldırım Uz B, Güneş Gencer GY, Bora F · Journal of nephrology (2026)

Participants: 54

Duration: 12 weeks

Intervention: 12-week telehealth-supported home-based exercise program plus usual nephrology care

Outcome: Functional capacity (6-minute walk test distance), sarcopenia risk, fatigue, mood symptoms, sleep quality, health-related quality of life

Effect Size: Mean difference in 6-minute walk test distance: +48.68 m (calculated from group means)

Population: Non-dialysis patients aged ≥45 years with stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease

Result: In a randomized controlled trial of 54 non-dialysis CKD patients, a 12-week telehealth-supported home-based exercise program significantly improved 6-minute walk test distance compared to usual care (+29.41 m vs -19.27 m, P < .001). Significant improvements were also observed in sarcopenia risk, fatigue, mood symptoms, sleep quality, physical performance, and quality of life.

PubMed: 42669568 DOI: 10.1093/joneph/aajag172

Mechanism Graph

Home-based exercise improves physical activity levels

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Enhanced muscle strength and endurance

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Reduced sarcopenia risk and fatigue

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Improved functional capacity and quality of life

Limitations

⚠Complete-case analysis may introduce bias due to dropout (3 participants excluded)
⚠No blinding of participants or outcome assessors mentioned
⚠Short-term follow-up (12 weeks) limits long-term sustainability assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary outcome of this study?▼

The primary outcome is change in 6-minute walk test distance, a measure of functional capacity.

How many participants completed the study?▼

51 participants completed the study (exercise group: n=25, control group: n=26).

What type of exercise program was used?▼

A 12-week telehealth-supported home-based exercise program, with 40% using a web-based platform and 60% receiving video-based support.

Did the exercise program improve sleep quality?▼

Yes, significant improvements in sleep quality were observed in the exercise group compared to controls.

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References

1.Yıldırım Uz B, Güneş Gencer GY, Bora F. "Effects of a telehealth-supported home-based exercise program on functional capacity, sarcopenia risk, and patient-reported outcomes in non-dialysis stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease.." Journal of nephrology, 2026. PMID: 42669568 DOI: 10.1093/joneph/aajag172

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