Inspiratory Muscle Training Post-Liver Transplant

Comparison of Inspiratory Muscle Training and Usual Care in Individuals Post-Liver Transplant

Individuals with chronic liver disease develop significant muscle wasting that remains post-liver transplant. The transplant surgery additionally challenges respiratory mechanics. Respiratory muscle strength has been measured to be impaired in individuals post liver transplant. This study proposes an 8 week intervention designed to increase respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function that we hypothesize will correlate to improved functional performance and quality of life post-liver transplant.

Pre-test post-test design, that will randomize subjects into an experimental group that will receive the inspiratory muscle strengthening exercise in addition to usual post-liver transplant care and a control group that will only receive the usual post-transplant care.

Up to 50 subjects will be recruited from the Post-Liver Transplant Outpatient Clinic at the Miami Transplant Institute.

The subjects will have repeated measurements of respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, functional mobility performance, and quality of life at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects must have undergone liver transplantation for chronic liver disease of any origin other than cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe cardiopulmonary disease such as recent Myocardial infarction, Congestive Heart Failure, Pulmonary edema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Asthma,
2. Severe osteoarthritis
3. Blindness
4. Wheelchair bound individuals
5. Individuals with neurological / neuromuscular disorders including but not limited to: cerebral vascular accident, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease, dystonia, multiple sclerosis, and polio.
6. Severe Cognitive impairment where individuals cannot follow commands and are unable to sign informed consent -