Effects of a rehabilitation programme on daily functioning, participation, health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression in liver transplant recipients

Abstract

Rehabilitation using supervised exercise training and daily physical activity counselling can positively influence daily functioning, participation and HRQoL among fatigued liver transplant recipients.

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“…In this study, physical adaptation of LTRs was improved positively after the support group intervention. In the literature, similarly to our study, it has been reported that mindfulness meditation group interventions were positively affected sleep 13,14 and the physical health of organ transplant recipients; 14 that physical rehabilitation positively affected physical health; 16 that exercise and diet affected physical function and exercise capacity; 17 and that fitness rehabilitation affected physical health and physical behavior. 15 In a study on the effectiveness of an exercise and diet program, patients attending the program had a better exercise capacity in the short term (in the fourth month) than did control patients; however, the positive effect of the program did not continue in the long term (in the tenth month).…”

“…32 In addition, Keidar and associates (2001a) 18 reported that support group interventions had a positive influence on relationships between the family members of liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant patients. Van Ginneken and associates (2011) 16 showed that exercise and diet improved patients' autonomy, roles in their families, and social relationships.…”

“…10 Support groups have been used with organ transplant patients for a long time, 11,12 and are still being used in present in many transplant centers worldwide. There have been studies on the effects of support groups with specific training topics on organ transplant patients (eg, mindfulness-based stress reduction, 13,14 fitness training groups, 15 physical rehabilitation, 16 and counseling for exercise and diet). 17 These studies have reported that support groups reduce anxiety levels 18 and improve psychosocial adaptation, 19 allow patients to return sooner to work, 20 have a positive influence on the selfmanagement, self-efficacy, and health care status, 15 and increase QOL in patients waiting for transplant.…”

“…13,14 Physical rehabilitation, aimed at decreasing tiredness, has been shown to improve daily life activities, QOL, and autonomy also have been known to reduce anxiety and depression. 16 Studies must be performed on the effectiveness of support groups formed to increase the physical, psychological, and social adaptation of liver transplant recipients.…”

The influence that hepatic cirrhosis provides in exercise capacity and muscle strength: a review

“…Unfortunately, many patients have to wait on liver transplantation waiting lists, and the number of patients awaiting transplants is greater than the ones receiving (15). Therefore, a relevant alternative to these patients might be to begin physical training and multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs (16,17). Physical exercise may reduce cardiovascular and neuromuscular variable impairments, improving both life quality and expectancy of these patients (18)(19)(20).…”