Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 13 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 346-365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260737
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Renal Rehabilitation in Chronic Kidney Disease Among Physiotherapy Students in Tripura
Dr. Rashmita Saha (PT)1, Medha Acharyya2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Tripura Institute of Paramedical Sciences, under Tripura University, Agartala, Tripura, India.
2BPT 4th year, Department of Physiotherapy, Tripura Institute of Paramedical Sciences, under Tripura University, Agartala, Tripura, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Rashmita Saha (PT)
ABSTRACT
Background:Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition leading to reduced functional capacity and poor quality of life. Renal rehabilitation plays an important role in improving outcomes, and physiotherapists are key contributors in its implementation. However, knowledge and clinical preparedness among physiotherapy students remain unclear.
Objective:To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding renal rehabilitation in CKD among physiotherapy students in Tripura.
Methodology:A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 121 physiotherapy students in Tripura using a pre-validated, self-administered online questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. The questionnaire comprised demographic details and 41 questions assessing three domains: knowledge (12 items), attitude (12 Likert-scale statements), and practice (12 items, including 5 scenario-based questions) regarding renal rehabilitation in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data were collected over three weeks through email and WhatsApp, and only complete responses were included in the final analysis.
Results: Out of 121 students, 54.5% of participants had received formal teaching regarding renal rehabilitation, whereas only 48.8% had direct clinical exposure to patients with CKD and 33.1% were familiar with exercise guidelines for CKD. Only 19.2% of students demonstrated good knowledge regarding renal rehabilitation, while the majority exhibited moderate (43.3%) or poor (37.5%) knowledge levels. Attitude towards renal rehabilitation was predominantly neutral (50.4%), although most participants agreed that physiotherapists should be integrated into dialysis teams and receive structured training in renal rehabilitation. Poor practice was observed in 65% of participants, with limited exposure to exercise assessment, monitoring, and rehabilitation outcome documentation. No significant differences in knowledge, attitude, or practice scores were found across academic years, whereas practice scores showed a significant association with age group [Mean ± SD= 24.80 ± 11.60, F = 5.06, p = 0.008].
Conclusion: Physiotherapy students in Tripura demonstrated moderate knowledge, neutral attitudes, and poor practice regarding renal rehabilitation in chronic kidney disease. The study highlights the need to strengthen academic training and clinical exposure to bridge the knowledge-practice gap to improve competency in renal rehabilitation among future physiotherapists.
Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Renal Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy Students
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