Beam will support kidney patients with their physical and mental health with online exercise, plus community and clinical support.
King’s College Hospital has secured funding from Kidney Research UK to deliver a research study with the aim of assessing how effectively Beam, an online activity platform that helps people with specific health needs to be more physically active. securingIt is hoped the study will help secure the long-term future of the platform.
The research project will assess how effectively Kidney Beam improves the quality of life of people living with kidney disease and also the cost-effectiveness of the platform with the aim of identifying whether the platform has the evidence base for support and future commissioning.
The Kidney Beam Trial will recruit 304 people living with kidney disease from 5 sites across the UK. Participants will take part in 12 weeks of structured exercise training and education, and be offered the opportunity to do other physical and mental wellbeing activities such as Pilates, Yoga and Art Therapy. The trial will take place over 12 months and will measure quality of life, patient activation, functional outcomes and mental health.
Beam for Kidney Disease (Kidney Beam) was originally developed in partnership with King’s College Hospital and Kidney Research UK to help kidney patients who were shielding during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK and also supports those who struggle to access in-person fitness classes. Despite the evidence for experience in improving quality of life and health outcomes in kidney patients, exercise programmes tailored to people with kidney disease aren’t widely accessible across the UK, or through the NHS.
Over 1,000 people living with kidney disease have signed up to Kidney Beam, which offers a range of live and on-demand exercise, education and wellbeing classes, led by NHS kidney health professionals, and other qualified instructors, including people living with kidney disease. Beam also incorporates numerous research backed behaviour change interventions to encourage ongoing patient engagement in activity for self-management of conditions and provides the opportunity for peer-learning and community support to address feelings of isolation.
“We’re really pleased [that Kidney Research UK] has been able to continue to support patients at a time when access to traditional services has become so difficult,” said Sandra Currie, chief executive of Kidney Research UK. “The research we are also funding will show whether Kidney Beam will overcome the barriers to physical activity and emotional support services in an efficient and financially sustainable way. If positive, the outcomes will be submitted to the NHS with the intention that Kidney Beam will get commissioned, offering security for the service beyond 2021.”
“I am thrilled to be able to lead this important trial. We are very proud of our renal rehabilitation programme at King’s College Hospital and it is exciting to be able to offer this virtually via Kidney Beam,” said Dr Sharlene Greenwood, Chief Investigator for the Kidney Beam Trial. “ The last 12 months has changed how we are able to deliver healthcare, and this programme has the potential to reach patients who have never been offered routine physical and emotional wellbeing programmes.”
“We are very excited for this research to commence,” said Beam Co-Founder and Clinical Lead, Pamela Scarborough. “Building an evidence base for digital health solutions is essential for uptake and commissioning via the NHS, which is critical in ensuring equal access to renal rehab services across the UK. Understanding the economics of Kidney Beam will also inform the delivery of Beam’s services in other health conditions.”
