Greetings

WCN’26 Satellite Symposium
Co-chairs
Masahiro Kohzuki (International Society of Renal Rehabilitation)
Kunihiro Yamagata (Japanese Society of Renal Rehabilitation)
Paul Bennett (Global Renal Exercise Network)

We are pleased to announce that the World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) 2026 Satellite Symposium “Renal Rehabilitation Up to Date” will be held at the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai and the the Sendai International Center for two days, March 26th (Thursday) and 27th (Friday), 2026.
Renal rehabilitation is a long-term, comprehensive program that aims to mitigate the physical and mental effects of kidney disease and dialysis treatment, manage symptoms, improve prognosis, and improve psychosocial and occupational situations. It involves exercise therapy, dietary therapy and fluid management, pharmacotherapy, education, and mental and psychological support. It is truly aimed at the total care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The treatment of CKD has undergone a Copernican shift from "exercise restriction to exercise therapy." In recent years, the safety and effectiveness of exercise therapy in pre-dialysis CKD patients or dialysis patients have been reported, and renal rehabilitation is expected not only to prevent and improve sarcopenia and frailty, improve activities of daily living and quality of life and prognosis through cardiovascular disease prevention, but also as a new treatment for improving renal function and preventing the transition to dialysis.
The Japanese Society of Renal Rehabilitation was established in 2011 as the world's first academic society of renal rehabilitation, and has approximately 3,500 members. We hold academic conferences every year, pioneered the world in obtaining approval for additional fees for exercise therapy for re-dialysis CKD or dialysis patients, established a system for certified renal rehabilitation instructors, and have disseminated guidelines in both Japanese and English. The International Society of Renal Rehabilitation was established in 2019 and has held annual academic conferences featuring lectures by prominent researchers. Global Renal Exercise Network consists of approximately 380 individual researchers worldwide who are interested in increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes in kidney disease, and it holds lectures and other events irregularly. These three organizations are now jointly holding this symposium. This symposium is a landmark event, being the first of its kind in the history of WCN regarding renal rehabilitation.
This symposium will feature a wide range of programs, including special lectures, educational lectures, and general presentations. Experts will provide clear explanations, making the content valuable not only for professionals in renal rehabilitation but also for beginners with no prior knowledge of nephrology or renal rehabilitation. We encourage the participation of many related people and hope that this will be a venue for active international academic exchange. We look forward to seeing you in Sendai, Japan.