Impact of Exercise Therapy on Functional Capacity in Patients Listed for Liver Transplantation

Impact of Exercise Therapy on Functional Capacity in Patients Listed for Liver Transplantation

A UK prospective, single-centre feasibility study investigating the effects of exercise therapy on functional capacity in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Patients will receive a 12-week home prehabilitation program (daily step program; functional resistance exercise sessions; telephone health call or virtual clinic). The following will be assessed at weeks 0, 6 and 12 weeks: feasibility (recruitment, compliance, safety, patients perception), functional capacity (ISWT, SPBT), psychological wellbeing (HADS questionnaire) and quality of life (EQ-5D)

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Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet the United Kingdom Liver Transplant criteria for listing
• Accepted on the liver transplant waiting list for a primary transplant
• Adults ≥18years who have an indication for a liver transplant
• Diagnosed with sarcopenia at liver transplant assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant cardiovascular instability including a recent Myocardial infarction, recent Cerebrovascular accident and/or a recent unstable arrhythmia
• Unstable encephalopathy - open to interpretation by the chief investigator
• Patient or next of kin non-English speaking
• Inpatients
• Refusal or lacks capacity to give informed consent