Gradual dialysis schedules for Veterans new to dialysis
Official title: Incremental Hemodialysis for Veterans in the First Year of Dialysis (IncHVets): A Pragmatic, Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11212769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial compares starting dialysis twice-weekly versus the usual three-times-weekly schedule for Veterans beginning dialysis to see if the gentler approach improves quality of life, preserves remaining kidney function, and reduces treatment burdens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Long Beach, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002382-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212769 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans who are newly starting hemodialysis, have some remaining kidney function, and receive care at participating VA dialysis centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have little or no residual kidney function, those already stable on thrice-weekly dialysis, or non-Veterans are unlikely to benefit from the incremental schedule in this trial.
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to start hemodialysis either twice a week (an incremental approach) or the standard three-times-weekly schedule at VA dialysis centers. The trial is pragmatic and runs at multiple VA sites so care mostly follows routine clinical practice, and participants are followed through the first year of dialysis. Researchers will monitor symptoms, physical function, residual kidney function, vascular access health, episodes of low blood pressure during dialysis, and overall satisfaction with care. The aim is to find out whether a gentler start reduces fatigue and daily-life burden while keeping patients safe.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lessen fatigue and treatment burden, preserve residual kidney function longer, and improve quality of life for people starting dialysis.
How similar studies have gone: Smaller observational studies and pilot trials have suggested incremental dialysis can preserve kidney function and reduce symptoms, but large randomized trials in Veterans are limited so the approach remains promising but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Long Beach, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.