Multimodal approaches for inequality in kidney care: turning social determinants of health into opportunities.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Kidney disease is associated with major health and economic burdens worldwide, disproportionately carried by people in low and middle socio-demographic index quintile countries and in underprivileged communities. Social determinants such as education, income and living and working conditions strongly influence kidney health outcomes. This review synthesised recent research into multimodal interventions to promote kidney health equity that focus on the social determinants of health. RECENT FINDINGS: Inequity in kidney healthcare commonly arises from nationality, race, sex, food insecurity, healthcare access and environmental conditions, and affects kidney health outcomes such as chronic kidney disease progression, dialysis and transplant access, morbidity and mortality. Multimodal approaches to addressing this inequity were identified, targeted to: patients, families and caregivers (nutrition, peer support, financial status, patient education and employment); healthcare teams (workforce, healthcare clinician education); health systems (data coding, technology); communities (community engagement); and health policy (clinical guidelines, policy, environment and research). SUMMARY: The engagement of diverse patients, families, caregivers and communities in healthcare research and implementation, as well as clinical care delivery, is vital to counteracting the deleterious effects of social determinants of kidney health.

Characteristics and Frequency of Physical Activity and Exercise-Related Side Effects in People Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: People receiving peritoneal dialysis may receive health benefits from physical activity or exercise. However, on-going uncertainty and fear regarding safety may result in this population missing out on the health benefits of participation. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and frequency of physical activity and/or exercise-related side effects (e.g., symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath) and negative health events (e.g., stroke or hyper/hypoglycemia) experienced by people receiving peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: An international online survey involving adults receiving peritoneal dialysis was conducted with questions related to nature, occurrence, and impact of side effects and/or negative health events experienced during or soon after participation in physical activity or exercise. RESULTS: Fifty-two people completed the survey reporting 151 side effects that were related to physical activity and exercise and 67 that were possibly related. Fatigue (58% of respondents), muscle/joint soreness or pain (54%), and dizziness (43%) were the most frequently reported side-effect types. The majority occurred occasionally (58% of all side effects), if not rarely (24%) and participation in on-going physical activity or exercise was typically prevented only occasionally (39%) or not at all (31%). Side effects were mainly self-managed (54% of all side effects) or did not require treatment (19%) and had low (38%) or no effect (30%) on ability to do daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: People receiving peritoneal dialysis generally experience side effects that can be considered a normal response to physical activity or exercise engagement. Furthermore, the risk of serious or peritoneal dialysis-specific side effects as a result of physical activity or exercise appears to be low. The results add to the emerging evidence suggesting physical activity and exercise appear to be safe for people receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Culturally responsive care in haemodialysis: A scoping review.

AIM: To describe how clinicians provide culturally responsive care to culturally diverse people with kidney failure in haemodialysis centres. BACKGROUND: Culturally diverse individuals receiving in-centre maintenance haemodialysis have unique cultural needs. Unmet cultural needs can impair and profoundly affect their experiences. Given culturally responsive care has the potential to enhance the experiences of culturally diverse people, it is vital to understand how clinicians provide culturally responsive care. METHOD: A scoping review was undertaken using Arksey and OMalleys framework. Five databases: Medline and CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), PsycINFO, Embase (OVID) and ProQuest Theses and Dissertation databases were searched for research literature published in English between 1990 and 2023. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesise the data. RESULTS: From the 17,271 records screened, 17 papers reporting 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis revealed two themes: (i) communication enablers and barriers including linguistic differences, professional and lay interpreter use; and (ii) the importance of culture, which encompassed acknowledging cultural priorities, accommodating cultural food preferences and access to cultural training. CONCLUSION: While competing priorities associated with haemodialysis may be a challenge for clinicians, recognising the significance of cultural care needs and accommodating them in care is important. Demonstrating respect towards cultural diversity and providing person-centred care by facilitating the unique cultural needs of people with kidney failure in haemodialysis is imperative. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Culturally responsive care is complex and multidimensional. Individuals' cultural care needs should be acknowledged, respected, and accommodated in care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. The study protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. https://osf.io/uv8g3.

DOCK4 Regulation of Rho GTPases Mediates Pulmonary Vascular Barrier Function.

BACKGROUND: The vascular endothelium maintains tissue-fluid homeostasis by controlling the passage of large molecules and fluid between the blood and interstitial space. The interaction of catenins and the actin cytoskeleton with VE-cadherin (vascular endothelial cadherin) is the primary mechanism for stabilizing AJs (adherens junctions), thereby preventing lung vascular barrier disruption. Members of the Rho (Ras homology) family of GTPases and conventional GEFs (guanine exchange factors) of these GTPases have been demonstrated to play important roles in regulating endothelial permeability. Here, we evaluated the role of DOCK4 (dedicator of cytokinesis 4)-an unconventional Rho family GTPase GEF in vascular function. METHODS: We generated mice deficient in DOCK4' used DOCK4 silencing and reconstitution approaches in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells' used assays to evaluate protein localization, endothelial cell permeability, and small GTPase activation. RESULTS: Our data show that DOCK4-deficient mice are viable. However, these mice have hemorrhage selectively in the lung, incomplete smooth muscle cell coverage in pulmonary vessels, increased basal microvascular permeability, and impaired response to S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate)-induced reversal of thrombin-induced permeability. Consistent with this, DOCK4 rapidly translocates to the cell periphery and associates with the detergent-insoluble fraction following S1P treatment, and its absence prevents S1P-induced Rac-1 activation and enhancement of barrier function. Moreover, DOCK4-silenced pulmonary artery endothelial cells exhibit enhanced basal permeability in vitro that is associated with enhanced Rho GTPase activation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that DOCK4 maintains AJs necessary for lung vascular barrier function by establishing the normal balance between RhoA (Ras homolog family member A) and Rac-1-mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling, a previously unappreciated function for the atypical GEF family of molecules. Our studies also identify S1P as a potential upstream regulator of DOCK4 activity.

Feasibility of Symptom monitoring WIth Feedback Trial (SWIFT) for adults on hemodialysis: a registry-based cluster randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with kidney failure on hemodialysis (HD) experience considerable symptom burden and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is limited use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in facility HD units to direct immediate care, with response rates in other studies between 36 to 70%. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate feasibility of electronic PROMs (e-PROMs) in HD participants, with feedback 3-monthly to the participants' treating team, for severe or worsening symptoms as identified by the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS-Renal), with linkage to the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) registry, compared with usual care. METHODS: This is a registry-based cluster-randomized controlled pilot trial involving all adults receiving HD in 4 satellite units in Australia over a 6-month period. HD units were cluster randomized 1:1 to the control (HRQoL data collection only) or intervention arm (symptom monitoring with feedback to treating team every 3 months). Feasibility was assessed by participant response rate (percentage of eligible HD participants, including new incident participants, who completed the questionnaire at each time point); retention rate (percentage of participants who completed the baseline questionnaire and all subsequent measures); and completion time. HRQoL and symptom burden scores are described. RESULTS: There were 226 unique participants who completed the e-PROMs (mean age 62 years, 69% males, 78% White-European, median dialysis vintage 1.62 years). At 6 months, response rate and retention rate for the intervention arm were 54% and 68%, respectively, and 89% and 97% in the control arm. Median time to complete IPOS-Renal was 6.6 min (5.3, 10.1) at 3 months, and when combined with the outcome measure (EQ-5D-5L), the median time was 9.4 min (6.9, 13.6) at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic symptom monitoring among HD participants with feedback to clinicians is feasible. Variations in response and retention rates could be potentially explained by the lengthier questionnaire, and higher frequency of data collection time points for participants in the intervention arm. A definitive national RCT is underway. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618001976279 (07/12/2018).

Advancing Exercise Science for Better Health Outcomes Across the Spectrum of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Despite over 30 years of evidence for improvements in physical function, physical fitness, and health-related quality of life with exercise training in individuals with chronic kidney disease, access to dedicated exercise training programs remains outside the realm of standard of care for most kidney care programs. In this review, we explore possible reasons for this by comparing approaches in other chronic diseases where exercise rehabilitation has become the standard of care, identifying enablers and factors that need to be addressed for continued growth in this area, and discussing knowledge gaps for future research. For exercise rehabilitation to be relevant to all stakeholders and become a sustainable component of kidney care, a focus on the effect of exercise on clinically relevant outcomes that are prioritized by individuals living with kidney disease, use of evidence-based implementation strategies for diverse settings and populations, and approaching exercise as a medical therapy are required.

Differences in Tridimensional Shoulder Kinematics between Asymptomatic Subjects and Subjects Suffering from Rotator Cuff Tears by Means of Inertial Sensors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in three-dimensional shoulder kinematics between asymptomatic subjects and patients who were diagnosed with rotator cuff tears. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 13 symptomatic subjects and 14 asymptomatic subjects. Data were obtained from three inertial sensors placed on the humerus, scapula and sternum. Kinematic data from the glenohumeral, scapulothoracic and thoracohumeral joints were also calculated. The participants performed shoulder abductions and flexions. The principal angles of movements and resultant vectors in each axis were studied. Results: The glenohumeral joint showed differences in abduction (p = 0.001) and flexion (p = 0.000), while differences in the scapulothoracic joint were only significant during flexion (p = 0.001). The asymptomatic group showed higher velocity values in all sensors for both movements, with the differences being significant (p < 0.007). Acceleration differences were found in the scapula during abduction (p = 0.001) and flexion (p = 0.014), as well as in the sternum only during shoulder abduction (p = 0.022). Conclusion: The results showed kinematic differences between the patients and asymptomatic subjects in terms of the mobility, velocity and acceleration variables, with lower values for the patients.

Nurses' perceptions of point-of-care ultrasound for haemodialysis access assessment and guided cannulation: A qualitative study.

AIM: To explore nurses' perceptions of using point-of-care ultrasound for assessment and guided cannulation in the haemodialysis setting. BACKGROUND: Cannulation of arteriovenous fistulae is necessary to perform haemodialysis. Damage to the arteriovenous fistula is a frequent complication, resulting in poor patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Point-of-care ultrasound-guided cannulation can reduce the risk of such damage and mitigate further vessel deterioration. Understanding nurses' perceptions of using this adjunct tool will inform its future implementation into haemodialysis practice. DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative study. METHODS: Registered nurses were recruited from one 16-chair regional Australian haemodialysis clinic. Eligible nurses were drawn from a larger study investigating the feasibility of implementing point-of-care ultrasound in haemodialysis. Participants attended a semistructured one-on-one interview where they were asked about their experiences with, and perceptions of, point-of-care ultrasound use in haemodialysis cannulation. Audio-recorded data were transcribed and inductively analysed. FINDINGS: Seven of nine nurses who completed the larger study participated in a semistructured interview. All participants were female with a median age of 54 years (and had postgraduate renal qualifications. Themes identified were as follows: (1) barriers to use of ultrasound; (2) deficit and benefit recognition; (3) cognitive and psychomotor development; and (4) practice makes perfect. Information identified within these themes were that nurses perceived that their experience with point-of-care ultrasound was beneficial but recommended against its use for every cannulation. The more practice nurses had with point-of-care ultrasound, the more their confidence, dexterity and time management improved. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses perceived that using point-of-care ultrasound was a positive adjunct to their cannulation practice and provided beneficial outcomes for patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Haemodialysis clinics seeking to implement point-of-care ultrasound to help improve cannulation outcomes may draw on these findings when embarking on this practice change. REPORTING METHOD: This study is reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients were not directly involved in this part of the study; however, they were involved in the implementation study. TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The larger study was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617001569392 (21/11/2017) https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373963&isReview=true.

The effectiveness of patient activation interventions in adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex health condition that profoundly impacts an individual's general health and well-being throughout their entire lifetime. People with CKD require the knowledge, confidence, and skills to actively self-manage their health. This is referred to as patient activation. The efficacy of interventions to increase patient activation in the CKD population is unclear. AIM: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of patient activation interventions on behavioral health-related outcomes among people with CKD stages 3-5. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with CKD stages 3-5 was performed. MEDLINE, EMCARE, EMBASE, and PsychINFO databases were searched between 2005 and February 2021. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Bridge Institute critical appraisal tool. RESULTS: Nineteen RCTs that enrolled 4414 participants were included for synthesis. Only one RCT reported patient activation using the validated 13-item patient activation measure (PAM-13). Four studies demonstrated strong evidence that the intervention group developed a higher level of self-management compared to the control group (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 1.12, 95% CI [0.36, 1.87], p = .004). Eight RCTs led to a significant improvement in self-efficacy (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI [0.39, 1.06], p < .0001). There was weak to no evidence on the effect of the strategies shown on the physical component and mental components of health-related quality of life, and medication adherence. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: This meta-analysis highlights the importance of including tailored interventions using a cluster approach including patient education, goal setting with individualized action plan, and problem-solving to engage patients to be more actively involved in the self-management of their CKD.

Integrating Patient Activation Into Dialysis Care.

Patient activation, the measure of patients' readiness and willingness to manage their own health care, is low among people receiving in-center hemodialysis, which is exacerbated because such centers are commonly set up for patients to passively receive care. In our pursuit of person-centered care and value-based medicine, enabling patients to take a more active role in their care can lead to healthy behaviors, with subsequent reductions in individual burden and costs to the health care system. To improve patient activation, we need to embrace a patient-first approach and combine it with ways to equip patients to thrive with self-management. This requires changes in the training of the health care team as well as changes in care delivery models, promoting interventions such as health coaching and peer mentoring, while leveraging technology to enable self-access to records, self-monitoring, and communication with providers. We also need health care policies that encourage a focus on patient-identified goals, including more attention to patient-reported outcomes. In this article, we review the current status of patient activation in dialysis patients, outline some of the available interventions, and propose steps to change the dynamics of the current system to move toward a more active role for patients in their care.

Perspectives of Patients, Nurses, and Nephrologists About Electronic Symptom Monitoring With Feedback in Hemodialysis Care.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Patients receiving hemodialysis experience high symptom burden and low quality of life (QOL). Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (e-PROMs) monitoring with feedback to clinicians may be an acceptable intervention to improve health-related QOL for patients receiving hemodialysis. This study explored patient and clinician perspectives on e-PROMs monitoring with feedback to clinicians. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 41 participants (12 patients, 13 nephrologists, 16 dialysis nurses) who participated in a 6-month feasibility pilot study of adults receiving facility-based hemodialysis across 4 Australian units. The intervention consisted of electronic symptom monitoring with feedback to clinicians, who also received evidence-based symptom management recommendations to improve health-related QOL. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Semistructured interviews and focus group discussions explored the feasibility and acceptability of e-PROMs monitoring with feedback to clinicians. We conducted a thematic analysis of transcripts. RESULTS: We identified 4 themes: enabling efficient, systematic, and multidisciplinary patient-centered care; experiencing limited data and options for symptom management; requiring familiarity with technology and processes; and identifying barriers and competing priorities. While insufficient patient engagement, logistic/technical challenges, and delayed symptom feedback emerged as barriers to implementation, active engagement by nurses in encouraging and supporting patients during survey completion and clinicians' prompt action after symptom feedback were considered to be facilitators to implementation. LIMITATIONS: Limited generalizability due to inclusion of English-speaking participants only. CONCLUSIONS: Patients, nurses, and nephrologists considered e-PROMs monitoring with feedback to clinicians feasible for symptom management in hemodialysis. Clinician engagement, patient support, reliable technology, timely symptom feedback, and interventions to address symptom burden are likely to improve its implementation within research and clinical settings.

Combining exercise and nutrition in chronic kidney disease and dialysis: Can we learn from the performance nutrition of athletes?

The benefits of exercise interventions in individuals with chronic kidney disease have been widely reviewed; however, exercise has not yet been incorporated into routine clinical practice. In athletic populations, the goals of exercise training are to improve a specific aspect of physical performance such as strength or endurance, to ultimately optimize physical performance. This contrasts with many chronic kidney disease exercise studies where the goals are more aligned to a minimal effect, such as prevention of decline in physical function, frailty or protein energy wasting (PEW), weight loss for cardiovascular disease risk reduction, and risk minimization for mortality. In athletic populations, there are common targeted nutrition strategies used to optimize physical performance. In this review, we consider the evidence for and potential benefits of targeted nutrition strategies to complement well-designed exercise interventions to improve physical performance in people with chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Overall, we found a small number of studies using targeted protein supplementation in combination with a variety of exercise protocols; however, results were mixed. Future studies in people with chronic kidney disease should optimize acute (pre, during, and postexercise) and chronic nutritional status, utilizing targeted nutrition interventions proven in athletes to have benefit.

Global Policy Barriers and Enablers to Exercise and Physical Activity in Kidney Care.

OBJECTIVE: Impairment in physical function and physical performance leads to decreased independence and health-related quality of life in people living with chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. Physical activity and exercise in kidney care are not priorities in policy development. We aimed to identify global policy-related enablers, barriers, and strategies to increase exercise participation and physical activity behavior for people living with kidney disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Guided by the Behavior Change Wheel theoretical framework, 50 global renal exercise experts developed policy barriers and enablers to exercise program implementation and physical activity promotion in kidney care. The consensus process consisted of developing themes from renal experts from North America, South America, Continental Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, and Oceania. Strategies to address enablers and barriers were identified by the group, and consensus was achieved. RESULTS: We found that policies addressing funding, service provision, legislation, regulations, guidelines, the environment, communication, and marketing are required to support people with kidney disease to be physically active, participate in exercise, and improve health-related quality of life. We provide a global perspective and highlight Japanese, Canadian, and other regional examples where policies have been developed to increase renal physical activity and rehabilitation. We present recommendations targeting multiple stakeholders including nephrologists, nurses, allied health clinicians, organizations providing renal care and education, and renal program funders. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly recommend the nephrology community and people living with kidney disease take action to change policy now, rather than idly waiting for indisputable clinical trial evidence that increasing physical activity, strength, fitness, and function improves the lives of people living with kidney disease.

Depressive Disorders Are Associated With Risk of Falls in People With Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVES: People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for falls and fall-related injuries. Depressive disorders (DEP) are common in individuals with CKD and may increase the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. However, not much is known about the relationship between DEP and falls in people with CKD. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of DEP on the relationship between CKD, falls, and fall-related injuries. METHOD: Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we identified 16,574 adults with CKD. Patients with CKD were stratified by history of self-reported DEP (SRDEP), and multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine the odds for falls and fall-related injuries among those with and without SRDEP. RESULTS: In unadjusted regression analysis, falls (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 2.08-2.76) and fall-related injuries (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.72-2.59) were higher in individuals with CKD and history of SRDEP compared to those with CKD and no history of SRDEP. Adjustment for confounders had little effect on the relationship between a history of SRDEP and either falls (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.60-2.19) or fall-related injuries (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.26-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: People with CKD and DEP are at increased odds for falls and fall-related injuries even after adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Prospective studies are warranted to further understand this relationship, but it may be prudent for clinicians, in particular nurses, to consider fall risk when treating DEP in patients with CKD.

Sex Differences in Voyeuristic and Exhibitionistic Interests: Exploring the Mediating Roles of Sociosexuality and Sexual Compulsivity from an Evolutionary Perspective.

Sociosexuality and sexual compulsivity predict sex differences in voyeuristic interest in the population. In this study, we used a sample of 1113 participants from the UK (46% men) to consider whether sociosexuality and sexual compulsivity interacted to explain these sex differences and whether this relationship extended to the related domain of exhibitionism. In doing so, we tested novel predictions derived from an evolutionary perspective which views voyeuristic and exhibitionistic interest as manifestations of a short-term mating strategy. Participants reported their levels of repulsion toward voyeurism and exhibitionism and their interest in performing such acts under different levels of risk. There were clear sex differences in voyeuristic and exhibitionistic repulsion that were partially mediated by the serial combination of sociosexuality and sexual compulsivity. Examining the sexes separately revealed qualitatively different relationships between sociosexuality and sexual compulsivity when predicting exhibitionistic, but not voyeuristic, repulsion. Combined, sociosexuality and sexual compulsivity also mediated the sex difference in willingness to commit acts of voyeurism, but not exhibitionism, which was equally low for both sexes. The results highlight the role sociosexuality plays in voyeuristic and exhibitionistic interest, which coupled with an evolutionary perspective, may have implications for how we view courtship disorders.

The use of virtual physician mentoring to enhance home dialysis knowledge and uptake.

Home dialysis therapies are flexible kidney replacement strategies with documented clinical benefits. While the incidence of end-stage kidney disease continues to increase globally, the use of home dialysis remains low in most developed countries. Multiple barriers to providing home dialysis have been noted in the published literature. Among known challenges, gaps in clinician knowledge are potentially addressable with a focused education strategy. Recent national surveys in the United States and Australia have highlighted the need for enhanced home dialysis knowledge especially among nephrologists who have recently completed training. Traditional in-person continuing professional educational programmes have had modest success in promoting home dialysis and are limited by scale and the present global COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesize that the use of a 'Hub and Spoke' model of virtual home dialysis mentorship for nephrologists based on project ECHO would support home dialysis growth. We review the home dialysis literature, known educational gaps and plausible educational interventions to address current limitations in physician education.

Reasons for Nonparticipation in a Sustained Hemodialysis Intradialytic Exercise Program.

OBJECTIVE(S): Patients with end-stage kidney disease requiring hemodialysis suffer frailty and poor physical function. Exercise can improve physical function; however, barriers exist to intradialytic exercise programs. The objective of this study was to explore patients' reasons for not exercising in an extant intradialytic exercise program. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis reporting the reasons for not exercising in an intradialytic exercise program in two hemodialysis centers over a 4-week period. We explored whether patient characteristics and the presence of an exercise professional were associated with missed exercise sessions. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients participating in the intradialytic exercise program completed 57% of prescribed intradialytic exercise sessions. The three most frequently reported reasons from patients not exercising were refusal (24%), followed by fatigue (19%) and symptoms (14%). Patients were more than twice as likely to exercise if a kinesiologist was present (odds ratio [OR]: 2.26, confidence interval [CI]: 1.5, 3.4 P = .03). They were less likely to exercise if they were women (OR: 0.66, CI: 0.45, 0.95 P = .002), had been on dialysis greater than 60 months (OR: 0.55, CI: 0.37, 0.80 P < .002), or had more than two comorbid conditions (OR: 0.63, CI: 0.43, 0.90, P = .01). CONCLUSION: Patient adherence to intradialytic exercise programs is strongly associated with the presence of exercise professionals.

Valuing nurse and midwifery unit managers' voices: a qualitative approach.

BACKGROUND: Nurse and Midwifery Unit Managers (NMUMs) play pivotal roles in quality patient care, nurse and midwife satisfaction and retention. NMUMs are expected to be both leaders and managers simultaneously, which may create role tension. This study aimed to explore the understanding and experience of NMUMs regarding their role; to explore what barriers and facilitators NMUMs identified to achieving the goals of their clinical area; and to explore NMUMs' career plans. METHODS: Set in Victoria, Australia, this study was guided by naturalistic inquiry using a qualitative descriptive approach. Thematic analysis was used to inductively develop core themes, which facilitated the motivations, experience and meanings underlying the data to be elaborated. RESULTS: In all, 39 interviews were conducted with NMUMs across four hospitals. Two overarching themes were identified from the data; system challenges and influences on people and each theme had three sub-themes. In relation to system challenges, participants spoke about the structural challenges that they encountered such as financial stressors and physical infrastructure that made their work difficult. Participants felt they were unprepared for the NMUM role and had limited support in the preparation for the role. Participants also related their frustration of not being included in important decision-making processes within the hospital. Regarding their career plans, most did not envisage a career beyond that of a NMUM. CONCLUSIONS: This study of contemporary NMUMs uncovered a continued lack of investment in the orientation, professional development and support of this critical leadership and management role. There is an urgent need for targeted interventions to support and develop capabilities of NMUMs to meet the current and evolving demands of their role.

Hemodynamic and perceptual responses to blood flow-restricted exercise among patients undergoing dialysis.

End-stage kidney disease is associated with reduced exercise capacity, muscle atrophy, and impaired muscle function. While these may be improved with exercise, single modalities of exercise do not traditionally elicit improvements across all required physiological domains. Blood flow-restricted exercise may improve all of these physiological domains with low intensities traditionally considered insufficient for these adaptions. Investigation of this technique appeals, but is yet to be evaluated, in patients undergoing dialysis. With the use of a progressive crossover design, 10 satellite patients undergoing hemodialysis underwent three exercise conditions over 2 wk: two bouts (10 min) of unrestricted cycling during two consecutive hemodialysis sessions (condition 1), two bouts of cycling with blood flow restriction while off hemodialysis on 2 separate days (condition 2), and two bouts of cycling with blood flow restriction during two hemodialysis sessions (condition 3). Outcomes included hemodynamic responses (heart rate and blood pressure) throughout all sessions, participant-perceived exertion and discomfort on a Borg scale, and evaluation of ultrafiltration rates and dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) obtained post hoc. Hemodynamic responses were consistent regardless of condition. Significant increases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure (P < 0.05) were observed postexercise followed by a reduction in blood pressures during the 60-min recovery (12, 5, and 11 mmHg for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, respectively). Blood pressures returned to predialysis ranges following the recovery period. Blood flow restriction did not affect ultrafiltration achieved or Kt/V. Hemodynamic safety and tolerability of blood flow restriction during aerobic exercise on hemodialysis is comparable to standard aerobic exercise.

Advances in exercise therapy in predialysis chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by poor levels of physical activity which contribute to increased morbidity across the disease trajectory. The short nature, small samples, and poor methodology across most studies have failed to translate the role of exercise in CKD into its adoption as a frontline adjunct therapeutic option. This review focuses on recent advances surrounding the benefits of exercise interventions across the CKD spectrum. RECENT FINDINGS: Key recent advances in exercise studies have focused on the efficacy of novel intervention strategies across the CKD spectrum. These include high-intensity interval training, virtual reality gaming, intradialytic yoga, electrical stimulation of muscles, blood flow restriction training, and protocols combining exercise with nutritional supplementation. Research is also beginning to explore the role of prehabilitation for patients prior to dialysis and kidney transplantation. SUMMARY: Studies continue to demonstrate wide-ranging benefits of exercise across CKD; however, implementation of exercise remains scarce. Future research needs include evaluating the efficacy of larger and/or more comprehensive interventions on clinically important outcomes. It is hoped with increasing global evidence, high-quality clinical studies, and sustained clinician and patient engagement, exercise programs will become better prioritized in the nephrology field.