Home-based tele-exercise training and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic in chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown reduced physical activity levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients and kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study aimed to describe physical activity levels during lockdown and assess the effects of an online home-based exercise training program on physical activity levels in HD patients and KTRs.

Methods: Forty-five HD patients and thirty-five KTRs were divided into four groups: exercise groups 1 (ΕΧ-HD) and 2 (EX-KTR) followed a 4-month tele-exercise training program, while control groups received usual care. All participants at baseline and at the end of the study completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while their daily physical activity levels were recorded via a step counting application.

Results: At the end of the study, the repeated measures analysis revealed a significant effect of time, group, and time-by-group interaction in the average steps per day, walking, and moderate activity for the exercise-HD group (p < 0.05). Similarly, the analysis revealed a notable effect of time, group, and time-by-group interaction in the exercise-KTR group in average daily steps, vigorous and walking activity (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the level of physical activity at the end of the study was related to the urban place of residence and the participation in the 4-month exercise program of both HD patients and KTRs.

Conclusions: Participation in a tele-exercise training program led to favorable effects on physical activity levels both in HD patients and KTRs during lockdown.