Effects of The Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Program in Liver Transplant Patients

Effects of The Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Program On Muscle Strength, Exercise Capacity and Fatigue Levels in Liver Transplant Patients

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.

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.

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