Telerehabilitation exercise program in pediatric kidney transplant patients: clinical trial protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric kidney transplantation is an important therapeutic option to improve life expectancy and quality of life in this population. However, several aspects related to the functionality of children with chronic kidney disease are not fully recovered after the procedure. Telerehabilitation exercise programs can be an alternative to help in this regard. Objective: Outlines the protocol of a clinical trial that aims to evaluate the effect of a telerehabilitation exercise program on the physical conditioning of children and adolescents with kidney transplants. Methods: This is a protocol of a randomized clinical trial. Post-kidney transplant patients aged 6-18 years, randomized into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG), will undergo follow-up via telerehabilitation for six weeks. The IG will perform guided exercises through a previously scheduled video call. The CG will also receive a video call and perform simple ventilation exercises. The primary outcome is exercise capacity. The secondary outcomes are quality of life, peripheral muscle strength, and inflammatory and biochemical profile. Discussion: Given the physical deconditioning found in this population, an exercise program may help in the rehabilitation process after the procedure. In addition, we will be able to verify if a telerehabilitation tool is a valid strategy for this approach.