CompletedInterventional

Does NIGHT-time dialysis improve quality of LIFE?

Kidney dialysis is a lifesaving treatment, but standard daytime sessions take several hours three times a week. This can leave people feeling exhausted and leaves less time for everyday life. This study looks at whether overnight dialysis in a hospital or clinic can help. Overnight dialysis lasts between six and eight hours while you sleep. Because the treatment takes longer, it removes fluids and waste more slowly, making it gentler on the heart and body. It also leaves your daytime free to work, socialise, or spend time with family. Adults who have been on haemodialysis for at least three months will be randomly chosen to have either daytime or night-time dialysis for six months. Researchers will track their quality of life, symptoms, and NHS costs to see if night-time dialysis should be offered more widely across the UK.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Leicester

Enrolment target

350

Start

01 Oct 2021

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2024

Haemodialysis, renal failure

What is this study about?

Kidney failure means your kidneys can no longer clean waste from your blood, so a haemodialysis machine must do the job instead. Most patients travel to a clinic or hospital three times a week for about four hours each time. While this treatment keeps people alive, it can cause distressing symptoms and takes up many daytime hours that could otherwise be spent with family, working, or resting at home.

Overnight dialysis offers a different approach. Patients sleep in a clinic while receiving their treatment for six to eight hours. Because this session is longer and slower, it cleans the blood more naturally, similar to how healthy kidneys work all day and night. Removing fluid slowly is also easier on the heart. Best of all, having treatment overnight gives patients their daytime back.

Before the NHS can offer overnight treatment widely, doctors need clear evidence that it truly makes life better. Sometimes people who choose overnight dialysis are simply healthier to begin with. This study is designed to compare daytime and overnight dialysis fairly, asking patients directly about their energy, well-being, and daily symptoms over six months.

Key takeaways

The study tests whether sleeping in a clinic during dialysis improves quality of life compared to daytime sessions.
Participants are randomly assigned to either night dialysis (6 to 8 hours) or standard day dialysis (3.5 to 5 hours) for six months.
Overnight treatment filters blood more slowly and leaves daytime free for work, family, and hobbies.
You may be eligible if you are an adult who has had haemodialysis for at least three months.
Taking part is completely voluntary, and you can leave the study at any time without losing your standard NHS care.

Who may be eligible?

You may be able to join this study if you are 18 or older and have been receiving regular haemodialysis for kidney failure for at least three months. You must also be able to understand the trial, agree to take part, and be able to attend the scheduled appointments and complete the questionnaires.

You cannot take part if you have had overnight dialysis or extended daily dialysis within the last three months. The study is also not suitable for people who have a living-donor kidney transplant planned in the next six months, are pregnant, or plan to change their dialysis clinic or treatment type soon.

Your kidney doctor can review your overall health to help determine whether taking part in this study is safe and right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 18 or older.
I have been having regular haemodialysis for at least 3 months.
I have not had overnight or extended daily dialysis in the past 3 months.
I do not have a living kidney donor transplant scheduled in the next 6 months.
I am not pregnant and have no plans to move clinics in the next 6 months.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join, a computer will place you by chance into one of two groups for six months. One group will have night-time dialysis in a hospital or clinic three times a week, lasting six to eight hours each night while you sleep. The other group will continue with standard daytime dialysis three times a week, lasting between three and a half and five hours per session. Throughout the study, you will fill out questionnaires about how you feel and your daily quality of life. You will still have regular monthly health checks with your kidney doctor, although night-shift patients may speak to doctors and dietitians over the phone rather than face-to-face.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of night-time dialysis include having your days free, feeling less tired, and having gentler fluid removal that is easier on your heart. However, benefits cannot be guaranteed. The main downsides include getting used to sleeping in a clinic rather than your own bed, though you will receive ear plugs and an eye mask to help you rest. There is also a small risk of dialysis needles coming loose during sleep, and longer dialysis might speed up the loss of any remaining natural kidney function. Taking part is entirely your choice, and you can withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your usual NHS care.

Locations (7)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
City only
Leicester, England
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City only
London, England
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
City only
Craigavon, Northern Ireland
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Middlesbrough, England
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
City only
Glasgow, Scotland
Betsi Cadwaladr University Lhb
Unverified
Bangor, Wales
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Manchester, England

Common questions

How is it decided whether I get day or night dialysis?

A computer selects your group at random, like flipping a coin. This makes sure the two groups are balanced so the results are fair.

Will I be able to sleep during night dialysis?

Sleeping in a clinic can feel strange at first. The clinic staff provide ear plugs and eye masks, and they use quiet equipment to help you sleep soundly.

Will my medicines or diet change?

Your kidney specialist will review your treatment plan every month. If you are in the night group, your dialysis settings or dietary guidance may be adjusted to match your longer treatment time.

Can I leave the study if I find it too difficult to sleep?

Yes. You can leave the trial at any point, for any reason. If you decide to stop, your regular daytime dialysis care will continue as normal.

Does taking part cost me anything?

No. The treatment is part of your NHS kidney care, and you will not have to pay anything to take part in the research.

How to find out more

Niamh Quann

nightlife@leicester.ac.uk +44 (0)116 229 7243 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.