Home Exercise Training Improves Exercise Capacity in Cirrhosis Patients: Role of Exercise Adherence.

ABSTRACT: Cirrhosis patients have reduced peak aerobic power (peak VO2) that is associated with reduced survival. Supervised exercise training increases exercise tolerance. The effect of home-based exercise training (HET) in cirrhosis is unknown. The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 8 weeks of HET on peak VO2, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), muscle mass, and quality of life in cirrhosis. Random assignment to 8 weeks of HET (moderate to high intensity cycling exercise, 3 days/week) or usual care. Exercise adherence defined as completing ?80% training sessions. Paired t-tests and analysis of covariance used for comparisons. Forty patients enrolled: 58% male, mean age 57?y, 70% Child Pugh-A. Between group increases in peak VO2 (1.7, 95% CI: -0.33 to 3.7?ml/kg/min, p?=?0.09) and 6MWD (33.7, 95% CI: 5.1 to 62.4?m, p?=?0.02) were greater after HET versus usual care. Improvements even more marked in adherent subjects for peak VO2 (2.8, 95% CI: 0.5-5.2?mL/kg/min, p?=?0.02) and 6MWD (46.4, 95% CI: 12.4-80.5?m, p?=?0.009). No adverse events occurred during testing or HET. Eight weeks of HET is a safe and effective intervention to improve exercise capacity in cirrhosis, with maximal benefits occurring in those who complete ?80% of the program.

SUBMITTER: Kruger C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5758716 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature