Muscle CrampNCT07272070
The Effect of Home-Based Walking on Symptoms and Health Profile of Hemodialysis Patients
A study testing Group A (Home-based walking) and Group B (Usual hemodialysis care ) in people with Muscle Cramp and Hemodialysis, run by Figen Akay at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of home-based moderate-speed walking on hemodialysis symptoms and health profile while patients are receiving hemodialysis treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Muscle Cramp, Hemodialysis, Vibration
- What is being tested?
- Group A (Home-based walking) and Group B (Usual hemodialysis care )
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Dec 2025to 30 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients who agreed to participate in the research during the data collection process,
- Over 18 years of age,
- Speak and understand Turkish,
- Are at least literate,
- Can perform daily living activities independently,
- Own a smartphone.
Who cannot join
- Do not have sufficient cognitive ability,
- Have arthritic or orthopedic problems requiring assistance with walking,
- Have significant visual or hearing impairments,
- Walk regularly,
- Have a hemoglobin level <8 mg/dl,
- Have Stage IV of New York heart failure.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital
Ankara, Çankaya, 06800
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Home-Based Walking on Symptoms and Health Profile of Hemodialysis Patients:Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of home-based moderate-speed walking on hemodialysis symptoms and health profile while patients are receiving hemodialysis treatment.
Due to permanent deterioration in kidney function, patients need hemodialysis treatment, which is the most commonly used treatment method among renal replacement therapies. Hemodialysis treatment causes a series of physical and psychological problems. Problems such as hypotension, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, itching and pain are physical problems, while depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders and stress are psychological problems. In addition, it has been reported that long-term hemodialysis treatment and all the resulting problems increase the tendency to a sedentary lifestyle in this patient group, leading to a decrease in physical function and activity, and indirectly to a low quality of life and low survival rates. For this reason, hemodialysis patients have difficulty meeting their daily activities and needs, and their dependency and healthcare burden increase. Adopting a sedentary lifestyle by these patients prevents them from managing both the physical and psychological problems of hemodialysis and their conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and causes the disease to progress. Physical exercises, which are considered among the useful therapeutic suggestions in addition to pharmacological treatments in the management of the negative situations that arise, are considered as an easy, useful and effective intervention method. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise at least 5 days a week. Additionally, it should not be overlooked that whether patients have places to do physical activity and what their facilities are are a detail that should be questioned by health professionals. Patients without suitable accommodations should be encouraged to engage in physical activity, especially in indoor spaces like home. Home-based walking exercise is known to be easy, inexpensive, and safe, and is also advantageous when the weather is not favorable. When we examined the studies in which home-based walking exercise was performed, it was determined that its effect on functional capacity was generally investigated, but its effect on the health outcomes and symptoms of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment was not evaluated. There was no evidence that home-based walking exercise had any effect on symptoms in patients receiving HD treatment. Therefore, it was planned to conduct a study to evaluate whether home-based walking exercise has an effect on patient health outcomes.
- Conditions
- Muscle Cramp, Hemodialysis, Vibration, Stretching
- Being tested
- Group A (Home-based walking), Group B (Usual hemodialysis care )
- Medical subject headings
- Muscle Cramp
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group A (Home-based walking)Other
Verbal and written consent was obtained from patients who met the sampling criteria. At the first meeting, the Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Profile will be assessed. Information was given about the pedometer tracking form and things to consider for walking exercises at home. Patients were asked to choose comfortable, lightweight athletic shoes that would hug their feet. The patient will be asked to walk on flat ground at home and wear cotton, non-sweaty clothes. It is necessary to walk forward at a moderate intensity 5 days a week. It will be explained that 6,000 steps should be taken in the first week and increased by 10% the following week. During the hemodialysis session, the tracking form will be checked with the pedometer application on the patient's smartphone. This patient group will be asked to respond again at week four (T1) during the intervention and at week eight (T2) after the intervention to see the change in Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Pr
Group B (Usual hemodialysis care )Other
Before starting the study, verbal and written consent will be obtained from patients meeting the sampling criteria. Patient forms will be completed. At the first visit, patients' Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Profile will be assessed and recorded as pre-intervention (T0). Patients will be asked to record their step count on the pedometer section of their smartphones at the end of each walk. During each hemodialysis session, researchers will check the follow-up form using the patient's smartphone pedometer application and discuss daily care practices. This patient group will be asked to respond again at week four (T1) and week eight (T2) to see the change in Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Profile.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (Home-based walking) | Experimental | Home-based walking Receives: Other: Group A (Home-based walking) |
| Group B (Usual hemodialysis care ) | Experimental | Usual hemodialysis care Receives: Other: Group B (Usual hemodialysis care ) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Dialysis symptoms
The presence of dialysis symptoms is answered with a "yes" or "no" response. The scores obtained are summed to determine the scale score. The minimum score on this scale is "0" and the maximum is "150."
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Health profile
The Nottingham Health Profile consists of two sections. The first section covers the individual's health domain, and the second section covers areas affected by their health status. Questions are answered with "yes" or "no." The minimum score on the scale is "0," indicating good health, and the maximum score is "100," indicating poor health.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Dec 2025
- Study start15 Dec 2025
- Primary completion31 May 2026
- Study completion30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Muscle CrampStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Figen Akay
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Figen Akay, Eskisehir Osmangazi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07272070
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TABED 2-25-942
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Machfer A, Fekih N, Ammar A, Hassen HBH, Daab W, Amor HH, Bouzid MA, Chtourou H. Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation during hemodialysis on muscle strength, functional capacity and postural balance in patients with end-stage renal disease: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Nephrol. 2025 Feb 19;26(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s12882-025-03994-8.
PubMed 39972246Manfredini F, Mallamaci F, D'Arrigo G, Baggetta R, Bolignano D, Torino C, Lamberti N, Bertoli S, Ciurlino D, Rocca-Rey L, Barilla A, Battaglia Y, Rapana RM, Zuccala A, Bonanno G, Fatuzzo P, Rapisarda F, Rastelli S, Fabrizi F, Messa P, De Paola L, Lombardi L, Cupisti A, Fuiano G, Lucisano G, Summaria C, Felisatti M, Pozzato E, Malagoni AM, Castellino P, Aucella F, Abd ElHafeez S, Provenzano PF, Tripepi G, Catizone L, Zoccali C. Exercise in Patients on Dialysis: A Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017 Apr;28(4):1259-1268. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2016030378. Epub 2016 Dec 1.
PubMed 27909047Koh KP, Fassett RG, Sharman JE, Coombes JS, Williams AD. Effect of intradialytic versus home-based aerobic exercise training on physical function and vascular parameters in hemodialysis patients: a randomized pilot study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010 Jan;55(1):88-99. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2009.09.025. Epub 2009 Nov 22.
PubMed 19932545Hiraki K, Shibagaki Y, Izawa KP, Hotta C, Wakamiya A, Sakurada T, Yasuda T, Kimura K. Effects of home-based exercise on pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients: a randomized pilot and feasibility trial. BMC Nephrol. 2017 Jun 17;18(1):198. doi: 10.1186/s12882-017-0613-7.
PubMed 28623895Fletcher BR, Damery S, Aiyegbusi OL, Anderson N, Calvert M, Cockwell P, Ferguson J, Horton M, Paap MCS, Sidey-Gibbons C, Slade A, Turner N, Kyte D. Symptom burden and health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med. 2022 Apr 6;19(4):e1003954. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003954. eCollection 2022 Apr.
PubMed 35385471
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Home-Based Walking on Symptoms and Health Profile of Hemodialysis Patients:Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07272070
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TABED 2-25-942
- Conditions
- Muscle Cramp, Hemodialysis, Vibration, Stretching
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Figen AkayUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of home-based moderate-speed walking on hemodialysis symptoms and health profile while patients are receiving hemodialysis treatment.
Due to permanent deterioration in kidney function, patients need hemodialysis treatment, which is the most commonly used treatment method among renal replacement therapies. Hemodialysis treatment causes a series of physical and psychological problems. Problems such as hypotension, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, itching and pain are physical problems, while depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders and stress are psychological problems. In addition, it has been reported that long-term hemodialysis treatment and all the resulting problems increase the tendency to a sedentary lifestyle in this patient group, leading to a decrease in physical function and activity, and indirectly to a low quality of life and low survival rates. For this reason, hemodialysis patients have difficulty meeting their daily activities and needs, and their dependency and healthcare burden increase. Adopting a sedentary lifestyle by these patients prevents them from managing both the physical and psychological problems of hemodialysis and their conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and causes the disease to progress. Physical exercises, which are considered among the useful therapeutic suggestions in addition to pharmacological treatments in the management of the negative situations that arise, are considered as an easy, useful and effective intervention method. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise at least 5 days a week. Additionally, it should not be overlooked that whether patients have places to do physical activity and what their facilities are are a detail that should be questioned by health professionals. Patients without suitable accommodations should be encouraged to engage in physical activity, especially in indoor spaces like home. Home-based walking exercise is known to be easy, inexpensive, and safe, and is also advantageous when the weather is not favorable. When we examined the studies in which home-based walking exercise was performed, it was determined that its effect on functional capacity was generally investigated, but its effect on the health outcomes and symptoms of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment was not evaluated. There was no evidence that home-based walking exercise had any effect on symptoms in patients receiving HD treatment. Therefore, it was planned to conduct a study to evaluate whether home-based walking exercise has an effect on patient health outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (Home-based walking) | Experimental | Other: Group A (Home-based walking)Home-based walking |
| Group B (Usual hemodialysis care ) | Experimental | Other: Group B (Usual hemodialysis care )Usual hemodialysis care |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Patients who agreed to participate in the research during the data collection process,
- Over 18 years of age,
- Speak and understand Turkish,
- Are at least literate,
- Can perform daily living activities independently,
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Do not have sufficient cognitive ability,
- Have arthritic or orthopedic problems requiring assistance with walking,
- Have significant visual or hearing impairments,
- Walk regularly,
- Have a hemoglobin level <8 mg/dl,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (Home-based walking)Verbal and written consent was obtained from patients who met the sampling criteria. At the first meeting, the Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Profile will be assessed. Information was given about the pedometer tracking form and things to consider for walking exercises at home. Patients were asked to choose comfortable, lightweight athletic shoes that would hug their feet. The patient will be asked to walk on flat ground at home and wear cotton, non-sweaty clothes. It is necessary to walk forward at a moderate intensity 5 days a week. It will be explained that 6,000 steps should be taken in the first week and increased by 10% the following week. During the hemodialysis session, the tracking form will be checked with the pedometer application on the patient's smartphone. This patient group will be asked to respond again at week four (T1) during the intervention and at week eight (T2) after the intervention to see the change in Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Pr | Other | Group A (Home-based walking) |
| Group B (Usual hemodialysis care )Before starting the study, verbal and written consent will be obtained from patients meeting the sampling criteria. Patient forms will be completed. At the first visit, patients' Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Profile will be assessed and recorded as pre-intervention (T0). Patients will be asked to record their step count on the pedometer section of their smartphones at the end of each walk. During each hemodialysis session, researchers will check the follow-up form using the patient's smartphone pedometer application and discuss daily care practices. This patient group will be asked to respond again at week four (T1) and week eight (T2) to see the change in Dialysis Symptom Index and Nottingham Health Profile. | Other | Group B (Usual hemodialysis care ) |
Primary outcome
Dialysis symptoms
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
The presence of dialysis symptoms is answered with a "yes" or "no" response. The scores obtained are summed to determine the scale score. The minimum score on this scale is "0" and the maximum is "150."
Health profile
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
The Nottingham Health Profile consists of two sections. The first section covers the individual's health domain, and the second section covers areas affected by their health status. Questions are answered with "yes" or "no." The minimum score on the scale is "0," indicating good health, and the maximum score is "100," indicating poor health.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Aug 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 39972246Machfer A, Fekih N, Ammar A, Hassen HBH, Daab W, Amor HH, Bouzid MA, Chtourou H. Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation during hemodialysis on muscle strength, functional capacity and postural balance in patients with end-stage renal disease: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Nephrol. 2025 Feb 19;26(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s12882-025-03994-8.
- Results publication: PubMed 27909047Manfredini F, Mallamaci F, D'Arrigo G, Baggetta R, Bolignano D, Torino C, Lamberti N, Bertoli S, Ciurlino D, Rocca-Rey L, Barilla A, Battaglia Y, Rapana RM, Zuccala A, Bonanno G, Fatuzzo P, Rapisarda F, Rastelli S, Fabrizi F, Messa P, De Paola L, Lombardi L, Cupisti A, Fuiano G, Lucisano G, Summaria C, Felisatti M, Pozzato E, Malagoni AM, Castellino P, Aucella F, Abd ElHafeez S, Provenzano PF, Tripepi G, Catizone L, Zoccali C. Exercise in Patients on Dialysis: A Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017 Apr;28(4):1259-1268. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2016030378. Epub 2016 Dec 1.
- Results publication: PubMed 19932545Koh KP, Fassett RG, Sharman JE, Coombes JS, Williams AD. Effect of intradialytic versus home-based aerobic exercise training on physical function and vascular parameters in hemodialysis patients: a randomized pilot study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010 Jan;55(1):88-99. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2009.09.025. Epub 2009 Nov 22.
- Results publication: PubMed 28623895Hiraki K, Shibagaki Y, Izawa KP, Hotta C, Wakamiya A, Sakurada T, Yasuda T, Kimura K. Effects of home-based exercise on pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients: a randomized pilot and feasibility trial. BMC Nephrol. 2017 Jun 17;18(1):198. doi: 10.1186/s12882-017-0613-7.
- Results publication: PubMed 35385471Fletcher BR, Damery S, Aiyegbusi OL, Anderson N, Calvert M, Cockwell P, Ferguson J, Horton M, Paap MCS, Sidey-Gibbons C, Slade A, Turner N, Kyte D. Symptom burden and health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med. 2022 Apr 6;19(4):e1003954. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003954. eCollection 2022 Apr.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group A (Home-based walking) and Group B (Usual hemodialysis care ) in people with Muscle Cramp and Hemodialysis, run by Figen Akay at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Dialysis symptoms (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07272070, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Aug 2026.