Study of Resistance Strengthening Versus Ambulation Post-Liver Transplant

University of Miami

Status: Completed

Conditions: Liver Transplantation; Resistance Training; Activities of Daily Living

Treatments: Other: Resistance Strengthening Exercise Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01216722

20070787

Details and patient eligibility

About

Resistance strengthening exercise will increase strength and functional activity greater than ambulation in subjects post-liver transplantation.

Full description

Individuals post liver transplantation are significantly muscle wasted due to chronic liver disease. Current Usual care only involves progressive ambulation. Resistance exercise targeted at the lower extremities are anticipated to increase muscle strength in the muscles that extend the hip, extend the knee, and plantar flex the ankle more than seen with the usual care ambulation. The anticipated increases in strength should improve functional performance of activities such as standing from a chair, walking, and climbing stairs. The improvement in strength and functional performance should improve an individuals quality of life.

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Undergone Liver Transplantation a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks prior to enrollment
• Ambulatory without physical assistance, but permitted to use a cane or walker

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Significant Cardiopulmonary disease
• Neurological / Neuromuscular Disorder including cerebral vascular accident (CVA), Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia unrelated to Hepatic Encephalopathy, dystonia, multiple sclerosis, and polio.
• Blindness
• Inability to comprehend the English or Spanish Language

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

Resistance Strengthening

Experimental group

Description:

Body weight antigravity positioning and elastic resistance bands are used to provide resistance for strengthening in supine, sitting, and standing in subjects post liver transplant.

Treatment:

Other: Resistance Strengthening Exercise Program

Usual Care Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Subjects perform the usual care of progressive ambulation and increased activity post liver transplant