Standardising the measurement of physical activity in people receiving haemodialysis: considerations for research and practice

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) is exceptionally low amongst the haemodialysis (HD) population, and physical inactivity is a powerful predictor of mortality, making it a prime focus for intervention. Objective measurement of PA using accelerometers is increasing, but standard reporting guidelines essential to effectively evaluate, compare and synthesise the effects of PA interventions are lacking. This study aims to (i) determine the measurement and processing guidance required to ensure representative PA data amongst a diverse HD population, and; (ii) to assess adherence to PA monitor wear amongst HD patients.

Methods: Clinically stable HD patients from the UK and China wore a SenseWear Armband accelerometer for 7 days. Step count between days (HD, Weekday, Weekend) were compared using repeated measures ANCOVA. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined reliability (≥0.80 acceptable). Spearman-Brown prophecy formula, in conjunction with a priori ≥ 80% sample size retention, identified the minimum number of days required for representative PA data.

Results: Seventy-seven patients (64% men, mean ± SD age 56 ± 14 years, median (interquartile range) time on HD 40 (19-72) months, 40% Chinese, 60% British) participated. Participants took fewer steps on HD days compared with non-HD weekdays and weekend days (3402 [95% CI 2665-4140], 4914 [95% CI 3940-5887], 4633 [95% CI 3558-5707] steps/day, respectively, p < 0.001). PA on HD days were less variable than non-HD days, (ICC 0.723-0.839 versus 0.559-0.611) with ≥ 1 HD day and ≥ 3 non-HD days required to provide representative data. Using these criteria, the most stringent wear-time retaining ≥ 80% of the sample was ≥7 h.

Conclusions: At group level, a wear-time of ≥7 h on ≥1HD day and ≥ 3 non-HD days is required to provide reliable PA data whilst retaining an acceptable sample size. PA is low across both HD and non- HD days and future research should focus on interventions designed to increase physical activity in both the intra and interdialytic period.

Keywords: Accelerometry; End-stage renal disease; Exercise; Haemodialysis; Physical activity.

Fig. 1

CONSORT flow diagram

Fig. 2

Adjusted average daily step count. Data presented as mean (95%CI) for haemodialysis days (days on which participants received haemodialysis treatment), weekdays (Monday to Fridays when HD treatment not received) and weekend days (Sunday for all patients and additionally Saturday for those who received HD treatment in the Monday, Wednesday, Friday cohort)

Fig. 3

Sample attrition across a range of wear time criteria (≥ 1–12 h) when recommendations of 1 day HD and 3 days non-HD data are applied. Data are expressed as n and % of participants. The threshold for 80% sample attrition represented by the dashed line