Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO1275

MotiVational Strategies to Empower African Americans to Improve Dialysis Adherence (MoVE Trial): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Session Information

• Late-Breaking Research Posters
  October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Dialysis

• 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

• Johnson, Jeshanah, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Jeshanah Johnson, MD

• Wolever, Ruth Q., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Ruth Q. Wolever, PhD

• Ejezie, Marylou, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Marylou Ejezie, MPH

• Prigmore, Heather Leanne, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Heather Leanne Prigmore, MPH

• Niter, Daniel C., Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Daniel C. Niter

• Forbess, Julianna, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Julianna Forbess

• Medepalli, Anita, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Anita Medepalli

• Abney, Lesa R., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Lesa R. Abney, RN

• Gazaway, Shena, University of Alabama School of Nursing, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Shena Gazaway, PhD, RN

• Nair, Devika, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Devika Nair, MD, MS, FASN

• Burdick, Rachel B., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Rachel B. Burdick, MD, MS

• Lewis, Julia, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Julia Lewis, MD, FASN

• Cavanaugh, Kerri L., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Kerri L. Cavanaugh, MD, FASN

• Greevy, Robert, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Robert Greevy, PhD

• Resnicow, Kenneth A., University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Kenneth A. Resnicow, PhD

• Schrauben, Sarah J., University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Sarah J. Schrauben, MD, MS

• Umeukeje, Ebele M., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Ebele M. Umeukeje, MD, MPH, FASN

Background

Hemodialysis (HD) nonadherence is particularly common in African Americans (AA). We previously demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of "MoVE", a culturally tailored motivational interviewing (MI)-based coaching intervention, designed to improve HD adherence in AA.

Methods

MoVE Trial tested the efficacy of 'MoVE' compared to usual care in a 2-site RCT of adult AA on HD for ≥30 days, who missed or shortened HD session by 15 minutes/month in the prior 2 months. Trained health coaches (HC) provided MoVE (6 sessions over 8 weeks) via teleconference with AA during HD, to address evidence-based contributors to nonadherence in AA (empowerment; communication & trust; transportation; support network; understanding ESKD; mental well-being) and the potential role of racial identity. Intervention fidelity was confirmed pre- and mid-intervention via MI Treatment Integrity Scale. Surveys were completed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks; EMR-abstracted adherence data covered baseline through week 24.

Primary outcomes included shortened HD sessions (weeks 1-12) and self-efficacy (week 8) during and immediately post-intervention. Secondary outcomes included shortened sessions at weeks13-24, self-efficacy at week 24; missed HD sessions and shortened/missed minutes during the intervention (weeks 1-12) and follow-up (weeks 13-24); and psychosocial surveys. Exploratory outcomes included hospitalizations and ER visits.

Results

We enrolled 176, randomized 161: 51.6% male; mean[SD] age = 60.81[12.01] years; mean[SD] HD vintage = 6.08[5.58] and 5.83[6.68] years in MI and usual care respectively. MI compliance rate was high (87.3% completed all 6 sessions). While missed treatment minutes and shortened/missed HD sessions were lower in the MI arm during treatment (weeks 1-12) and follow-up (weeks 13-24), these differences were not significant. Similarly, exploratory analyses showed that, compared to usual care, MI had a lower risk of hospitalizations/ER visits during the intervention (weeks 1-12): RR 0.93 [95% CI: 0.56,1.55] and at follow-up (weeks 13-24): RR 0.79 [95% CI: 0.48,1.31], though not significant.

Conclusion

Compared to usual care, MI-based health coaching did not differentially improve nonadherence in AA. Subsequent analyses including qualitative work will explore potential reasons, including structural and logistical barriers (e.g., transportation) that could not be impacted by MI.

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the NIH 5R01DK133530-02 (Umeukeje). K26DK138374 (Cavanaugh); the VETWISE-LHS Center of Innovation through the Veterans Health Administration Office of Research and Development (CIN 24-128) (Nair). We appreciate the support of the Umeukeje lab and collaborators; health coaches (Lisa Kirchner, Heidi O'Neil, Angela Shine, Ashlie Thomas, Rebecca Weinand, Lisa Yen); graphics design expert, Russ Beebe; our dialysis units' staff, and most importantly, our dialysis patients.

Funding

• NIDDK Support