Encouraging physical activity after transplantation

Annually around 130,000 transplant surgeries (e.g., bone marrow, heart, kidney, lung, liver) take place globally. While transplantation is often a life-saving medical procedure, most transplant recipients do not meet the recommended amount and type of physical activity post-transplant, thereby limiting their wellbeing and long-term health.

This Open Societal Challenge aims to develop a patient and public involvement framework that supports transplant recipients in engaging with physical activity safely and sustainably. This project is not just about sports and being physically active; it's a deep dive into how physical activity impacts the well-being and long-term health of those who have received a transplant.

By focusing on stories and feedback from transplant recipients and their direct networks, the current project "Barriers and facilitators to physical activity for transplant recipients; developing a Patient and Public Involvement and engagement framework (PA-PPI)" seeks to develop practical, empathetic solutions that not only address the physical aspects of post-transplant physical activity but also consider the emotional and psychological challenges of becoming and remaining physically active. By leveraging the insights of medical professionals, social care experts, and the people around transplant recipients the project targets the creation of sustainable physical activity guidelines, fostering a significant improvement in transplant recipients' quality of life.

• Study 1 Evaluation of Multiple and multi-dimensional life transitions of World Transplant Athletes 2023

• Study 2 Barriers and facilitators to physical activity for transplant recipients; developing a Patient and Public Involvement and engagement framework (PA-PPI)

• Research Team

• Publications and public output

This research project has been reviewed by, and received a favourable opinion from, The Open University Human Research Ethics Committee – HREC reference number: HREC/4787/Rienties