Effects of The Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Program On Muscle Strength, Exercise Capacity and Fatigue Levels in Liver Transplant Patients
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Hasan Kalyoncu University
- Enrollment
- 140
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance
Overview
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation-based exercise program on muscle strength, exercise capacity, fatigue level, and cognitive status in adult liver transplant recipients. Liver transplantation is a major surgical procedure, and patients may experience reduced physical capacity, muscle weakness, and fatigue during recovery. Exercise-based rehabilitation may help improve these outcomes, but access to in-person rehabilitation programs may be limited after discharge.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving routine post-transplant care or an intervention group participating in a supervised telerehabilitation exercise program. The intervention consists of a 12-week program conducted twice weekly via video communication with a physiotherapist. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the program.
The study seeks to determine whether a structured, remotely supervised exercise program can improve functional recovery and reduce fatigue in liver transplant patients, potentially offering an accessible rehabilitation option after hospital discharge.
Detailed Description
Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that requires a structured recovery process extending from the pre-transplant period through hospitalization and post-discharge phases. After transplantation, patients frequently experience reduced physical capacity, decreased muscle strength, fatigue, and functional limitations that may negatively affect quality of life and recovery. Early and structured rehabilitation interventions are therefore considered important components of post-transplant care.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Adult liver transplant recipients aged 18 years or older
- •Medically stable and cleared for participation in an exercise program
- •Able to communicate and cooperate with the researcher
- •Literate and able to understand instructions
- •No orthopedic or neurological condition that would limit exercise participation
- •Approximately one month post-discharge following liver transplantation
- •Willing to participate and provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Presence of medical conditions that contraindicate exercise participation
- •Severe cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders that could interfere with the exercise program
- •Cognitive impairment preventing understanding of instructions or participation in assessments
- •Postoperative complications requiring activity restriction
- •Participation in another structured exercise or rehabilitation program during the study period
- •Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
Arms & Interventions
Telerehabilitation Exercise Group
Participants assigned to this arm received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program in addition to routine post-transplant care. The program was conducted for 12 weeks, twice weekly, via real-time video communication with a physiotherapist. Sessions included warm-up exercises, posture and breathing exercises, isometric strengthening exercises, functional movements such as sit-to-stand, walking training, and cool-down stretching. Exercise intensity was maintained at a moderate level and progressed gradually throughout the program.
Intervention: Telerehabilitation Exercise Group (Behavioral)
Control Group
Participants assigned to this arm continued their routine daily activities and received standard post-transplant care without participating in a structured or supervised exercise or rehabilitation program during the study period.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period
Change in functional exercise capacity measured by the distance (meters) walked during the 6-minute walk test.
Fatigue Severity Scale
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period
Change in fatigue severity measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Total scores range from 9 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.
Secondary Outcomes
- Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)(Baseline and end of 12 weeks)
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score(Baseline and end of 12 weeks)
- Heart Rate(Baseline and end of 12 weeks)
Investigators
İlker DEMİR
Principal Investigator
Inonu University