Research Awards Recipients

Lay Summary

Kidney transplant recipients face numerous challenges after transplantation. One of the challenges is the high frequency of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. In addition, the majority of kidney transplant recipients face several barriers to engaging in and maintaining a good level of physical activity even years post-transplant which can increase the risk of mortality and developing poor organ function. They also experience feelings of isolation and loneliness after transplantation. The goal of this study is to develop the Kidney Transplant Physical Activity and Social Club” (KEeP ACTIVe Club) to offer support for kidney transplant recipients to improve their levels of physical activity, knowledge in risk factors for heart and circulatory diseases and break the isolation and loneliness after transplantation. Specifically, we aim to determine whether the KEeP ACTIVe Club is acceptable to kidney transplant recipients and feasible to be delivered and if participation in this club can increase levels of physical activity, knowledge in risk factors for heart and circulatory diseases and decrease socialization restrictions among kidney transplant recipients. We will offer participation in the KEeP ACTIVe Club for six months which consists of a face-to-face educational session about benefits of physical activity and risk factors for heart and circulatory diseases, online social networking (a Facebook closed group), peer and professional mentorship, and a menu of options for physical activities that patients can choose from based on their personal preferences. At the end of the study we will make recommendations for future versions of the KEeP ACTIVe Club.