Impact of cycling exercise in patients with chronic kidney disease: protocol for a systematic review and trial sequential meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease is a global public health problem affecting approximately 10% of the adult population. Conventional management combines pharmacotherapy and dialysis, yet long-term complications persist. Cycling, a low joint load exercise, may improve cardiopulmonary function and renal outcomes, but conflicting evidence exists regarding its efficacy in advanced CKD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare cycling exercise and usual care in patients with chronic kidney disease will be included. Literature searches will be conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers will independently perform the processes of literature retrieval, screening, data extraction, and assessment of risk of bias. Risk of bias in included studies will be evaluated using Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (ROB 2) for RCTs. Review Manager (RevMan) will be used for data pooling. Subgroup analysis, trial sequential analysis (TSA), and sensitivity analysis will be conducted.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required because this study is a secondary analysis of existing data. We will disseminate the findings through peer-reviewed publications.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420251048364.