Improving physical ability for people with kidney disease

Preserving physical function in patients with kidney disease

NIH-funded research Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11124613

This project explores whether dialysis can improve muscle weakness and physical activity in people living with chronic kidney disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlbert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bronx, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124613 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

People with chronic kidney disease often experience muscle weakness and difficulty moving, which can lead to frailty. Researchers have found that this is linked to scarring in the muscles, called fibrosis, which gets worse as kidney disease progresses. However, early observations suggest that starting dialysis might actually help reduce this muscle scarring. This project will investigate if beginning dialysis can reverse muscle fibrosis and improve physical function, using advanced methods like muscle tissue analysis, MRI, and genetic studies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future studies would be patients with severe chronic kidney disease who are starting dialysis.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic kidney disease or are not undergoing dialysis would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to preserve physical function and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease.

How similar studies have performed: This project tests a novel hypothesis based on recent observations that dialysis may improve muscle fibrosis in patients with severe kidney disease.

Where this research is happening

Bronx, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Chronic Renal Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.