Abstract: FR-PO1128
Structured Program of Exercise for Recipients of Kidney Transplantation (SPaRKT): A Multidisciplinary Prehabilitation Intervention
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical - Transplant Access, Recipient Evaluation, Living Donors, Pregnancy, and More
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 2002 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Sheshadri, Anoop, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
- Elia, Jessica Rappich, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
- Kwong, Yuenting Diana, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
- Adey, Deborah B., University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
- Sudore, Rebecca, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
- Lai, Jennifer C., University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
Background
Optimizing pre-KT physical function is of paramount importance, particularly for older KT recipients. We sought to adapt a previously developed structured exercise program for pre-habilitation prior to living donor KT (LDKT) in dialysis-treated adults, assess acceptability and feasibility of the final program (SPaRKT), and obtain preliminary measures of efficacy in improving pre-operative physical performance and physical activity.
Methods
We enrolled older dialysis-treated adults (≥50 years) with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) <12 and their care partners in dyads from the University of California, San Francisco from 2022–2024 after confirmation of LDKT surgery in 3 separate waves, with adaptations to SPaRKT between waves. SPaRKT began as an 8–16-week, home-based program with in-person assessment and virtual delivery. Weekly physical therapy sessions provided feedback and goals using pedometer-tracked activity and individualized exercise video prescription. SPPB and quality of life questionnaires were administered pre- and post- intervention, with differences compared using paired t-tests. Acceptability and feasibility were assessed post-intervention.
Results
We enrolled 17 participants; 14 completed the intervention. Mean age was 63.6(± 8) years and 23.5% were female. Adaptations included exercise modifications, increased care partner participation and intervention length, and a shift to fully virtual assessment. Participants reported high acceptability (4.8/5) and feasibility (4.75/5) after Wave 3. Participants overall improved in activity, physical functioning and general health, and SPPB (Table 1).
Conclusion
A fully virtual, multidisciplinary pre-habilitation program with weekly feedback and exercise progression is feasible and acceptable for older dialysis-treated prior to LDKT and can improve physical function and health. Future prehabilitation research in KT should be conducted as a randomized controlled trial with larger sample size and post-operative outcomes.
Funding
- Other NIH Support