Physical Activity and Functioning in Home Dialysis Patients

This study will compare physical activity levels and physical functioning in patients treated with home dialysis vs. those treated with in-center dialysis. The investigators will first compare prevalent patients, and will also compare the two groups longitudinally in incident patients over the first 18 months of beginning the dialysis treatments. Patients will be tested for physical functioning using standard performance-based testing such as gait speed, chair stand, balance test, as well as self-reported limitations in activities of daily living. The investigators will monitor physical activity using step counters and activity questionnaires. Blood samples will be drawn at each testing time to measure inflammatory markers. A pilot study of home dialysis patients will be done to determine the effects of an independent home-based exercise program on physical functioning and inflammatory markers. For this pilot study, 30 patients will be randomized into exercise intervention and usual care with testing at baseline and again after 3 months of the intervention.