Use of pedometers to increase physical activity among children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are inactive relative to their peers.

Methods: Forty-four children and adolescents aged 7-20 years with CKD, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis or a kidney transplant participated in a 12-week pedometer-based intervention to increase physical activity. Patients recorded daily step counts and reported them weekly. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and 6-min walk (6 MW) were administered at baseline and after 12 weeks.

Results: Age was 15.1 ± 3.4 years; 27 % had CKD, 16 % were receiving dialysis, and 57 % had received a kidney transplant. Mean daily step count did not change significantly (+48, 95 % CI -48 to +145 steps/day per week). Transplant recipients and patients with CKD increased their activity by 100 steps/day (95 % CI -14 to 208) and 73 steps/day (95 % CI -115 to 262) each week, respectively, and patients on dialysis decreased by 133 steps/day (95 % CI -325 to 58; p value for interaction 0.03) in multivariable analysis. Change in physical activity was associated with change in 6 MW distance (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and change in physical functioning (r = 0.53, p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Youths with CKD did not significantly increase their activity over 12 weeks of a pedometer-based intervention. However, changes in physical activity were associated with changes in physical functioning and performance.