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NCT Number: NCT07119593

Exercise Intensity

Patients receiving regular hemodialysis (HD) treatments are at a higher risk of cardiovascular events and death as HD can cause a decrease in the pumping of the heart during treatment called 'stunning'. Intradialytic exercise has emerged as a safe and effective non-drug approach to improve cardiovascular health and is now recommended for patients undergoing HD. It is currently advised that HD patients engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise three times per week. This study will evaluate the impact of exercise intensity in the HD population and determine if high impact exercise can offer better protection to the heart against HD-induced myocardial stunning.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Dialysis Cardioprotection

Age range

18 year–79 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

London Health Sciences Centre

London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada

About this study

This will be the first randomized, cross-controlled trial evaluating the impact of exercise intensity in the HD population. If the efficacy of cardiovascular protection is proven, it could be developed as a therapeutic option in the dialysis population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Must be on chronic hemodialysis for at least 3 months
  • Age ≥ 18 years of age
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Regular vigorous exercise outside hemodialysis
  • > 79 years of age
  • Intradialytic exercise in the past 3 months
  • Poor echogenicity
  • Acute coronary syndrome in the past 3 months
  • Unstable arrhythmia/angina
  • Shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity
  • Symptomatic hypoglycemia (>2x/week in the week prior to enrolment)
  • Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease
  • Unable or deemed unsafe to exercise for any reason
  • Severe musculoskeletal or orthopedic conditions
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Hypertrophic cardiopathy
  • Severe pulmonary hypertension
  • Symptomatic hypertension

Treatment and study plan

Intradialytic Cycling

Other

Intradialytic exercise has emerged as a safe and effective non-drug therapeutic approach to improve cardiovascular health and is now recommended for people undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Administration of a higher intensity exercise could offer better cardio-protective mechanisms and if the efficacy of cardiovascular protection is proven, it could be developed as a therapeutic option in the dialysis population.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in the number of left ventricular segments undergoing a greater than 20% reduction in longitudinal strain as detected by echocardiogram.

    Time frame: Week 1 to Week 3

    An echocardiogram will be completed pre-hemodialysis (HD) treatment and at peak hemodynamic stress (30 minutes before the end of HD treatment) at each of the study sessions. Images will be captured in the left lateral position and standard apical 4, and 2 chamber views will be recorded for analysis using automated speckle-training software. (EchoPac, GE Healthcare)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Evaluate potential targets of exercise induced cardio protection by evaluating their effects on endothelial function.

    Time frame: Week 1 to Week 3

    Endothelial function will be assessed by measuring the dilatory response of the brachial artery to increased blood flow generated by reactive hyperemia in the downstream forearm. At each study session participants are placed in the supine position and the brachial artery of the non-dominant arm, or the non-distended arm is scanned in longitudinal section using a 12 MHz linear transducer connected to a Vivid Q echograph (GE, /USA) supplemented by an electrocardiogram (ECG).

  2. Evaluate whether the increase in exercise intensity leads to a differential modulation of potential cardioprotective mechanisms, by evaluating their effects on hemodynamic responses (Blood Pressure)

    Time frame: Week 1 to week 3

    Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) will be measured using an automated blood pressure monitor integrated into the dialysis machine. Values will be monitored throughout each study visit.

  3. Evaluate whether the increase in exercise intensity leads to a differential modulation of potential cardioprotective mechanisms, by evaluating their effects on hemodynamic responses (CV Insight Monitoring)

    Time frame: Week 1 to Week 3

    The CV Insight contact device is non-invasive continuous hemodynamic real time monitoring system use to assess cardiovascular and respiratory status using percutaneous photoplethysmography. The device will be attached to the right of the patient's forehead midline., approximately 2.5cm above the level of the nose pre-dialysis and will remain intact until the patient is disconnected from the dialysis machine at each study session. Once attached, baseline recording will be obtained, and hemodynamic data will continuously be captured.

  4. Evaluate whether the increase in exercise intensity leads to a differential modulation of potential cardioprotective mechanisms, by evaluating their effects on hemodynamic responses (Finapres)

    Time frame: Week 1 to Week 3

    The Finometer utilizes a finger-cuff method to detect beat-to-beat changes in digital arterial diameter using an infrared photoplethysmography. The time averaged data is subsequently downloaded to a computer-based analysis program for analysis. The finger-cuff will be placed on the participant's index finger at each study visit and will remain in place through the entirety of the visit.

  5. Evaluate whether the increase in exercise intensity leads to a differential modulation of potential cardioprotective mechanisms, focusing on blood markers.

    Time frame: Week 1 to Week 3

    Blood samples will be collected from the participants dialysis access before HD and at peak stress at each study visit for biochemistry, proteomic analysis and translational approach.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Boosting Myocardial Preconditioning With High-Intensity Intradialytic Exercise: A Preliminary Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 13, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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