Exercise and monitoring to improve muscle health in Veterans with chronic kidney disease

BCCMA: Recovery of Aged Muscle After Disuse Atrophy (REMEDY): Exercise and Monitoring With Post-Hospitalization Muscle Atrophy to Sustain Intrinsic Capacity and Strength (EMPHASIS)

Not applicable Interventional VA Office of Research and Development · NCT06607913

This study is testing whether exercise and regular check-ins can help older Veterans with chronic kidney disease build strength and improve their overall health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages55 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVA Office of Research and Development Federal
Locations2 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06607913 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to address the issue of hospital-acquired weakness in older Veterans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by implementing exercise and monitoring strategies. It will establish a baseline cohort of Veterans with Stage 3 and 4 CKD at two Veterans Affairs sites in Denver and Baltimore. The study will assess muscle health, including strength and mobility, and monitor participants over at least two years to evaluate the impact of home-based and supervised exercise on their physical resilience. The goal is to develop tailored interventions that can improve muscle health and overall well-being in this vulnerable population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Veterans aged over 55 with a diagnosis of Stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease.

Not a fit: Patients with poorly controlled cardiovascular conditions or contraindications to resistance training may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance muscle strength and resilience in Veterans with CKD, leading to improved recovery and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in using exercise interventions to improve muscle health in similar populations, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \> 55 years
* Diagnosis of stage 3-4 CKD or an eGFR of \<45 mL/min/1.73m2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiovascular risk: Poorly controlled hypertension (\>160/100)

  * Coronary event in past 6 months
  * Class III or IV CHF
  * symptomatic angina at rest or during exercise
  * Syncope in past year, without known resolution of cause
* COPD requiring home oxygen
* Contraindications to resistance training, including history of intracranial or retinal bleeding; Diabetes with active proliferative retinopathy
* History of significant spinal osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis
* Dementia (on medical record review or mini-mental status exam score)

Where this trial is running

Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Kidney Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.