Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation to Patients Post Liver Transplant

Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation to Patients Post Liver Transplant

The goal of this clinical trial was to access the benefits of a 12-week home-based pulmonary rehabilitation regimen on pulmonary function recovery in post-liver transplant patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does pulmonary rehabilitation facilitate pulmonary muscle strength recovery? Does the intervention improve pulmonary function and reduce dyspnea sensation?

Participants performed:

Inspiratory muscle training twice a day for 12 weeks after discharged from the hospital Upper limb resistive training Lower limb exercise

Patients undergoing liver transplantation often face significant challenges related to pulmonary rehabilitation. Although postoperative rehabilitation has been extensively studied, the specific role of pulmonary rehabilitation programs has received limited attention. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program in improving respiratory function recovery among post-liver transplant patients. The training group participated in a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program post-discharge, emphasizing respiratory muscle and exercise training, while the control group received standard care, which included traditional rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20 years or older
• Scheduled to undergo living donor liver transplantation
• Stable vital signs
• Normal cognitive function
• Able to perform activities independently using their own strength and coordination
• Willing and able to participate in 12 weeks of rehabilitation training

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe physical illness during the operation
• Acute bleeding
• Unstable vital signs
• Hepatic encephalopathy, or neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or cognitive dysfunction
• Limited mobility (e.g., unable to stand, lift upper limbs, or bedridden)
• Inability to comply with 12 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation post-discharge
• Unstable vital signs
• Hepatoencephalopathy, such as cardiovascular accident, Parkinson disease, cognitive dysfunction
• Those with limited mobility (unable to stand, unable to lift upper limbs, or bedridden)
• Those who are unable to cooperate with the 12 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation exercises after discharge.