Home-based PHysical rehabilitatiOn after livEr traNsplantation and Impact of eXercise intensity: a Randomized Controlled Trial [PHOENIX-RCT]

Cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation are a major problem. The etiology is primarily rooted in lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor physical fitness. We hypothesize that personalized home-based exercise training for 6 months, succeeded by a preference-tailored physical activity intervention in de novo liver transplant recipients is safe, cost-efficient, and effective in sustainably improving physical fitness (VO2peak as primary outcome) and cardiovascular health. 148 liver transplant recipients will be randomly allocated to usual care (n=74) versus an exercise and physical activity intervention (n=74). The first training phase is performed at moderate intensity and supervised by the local physiotherapist. The second training phase is remotely mediated and performed at either moderate (n=37) or a combination of moderate and high intensity (n=37). Follow-up period is 2 years in duration. Study findings will be easily implementable in daily practice.

Keywords:Training intensity, Physical fitness, Cardiovascular health, Physical rehabilitation, Liver transplantation

Disciplines:Rehabilitation, Exercise physiology, Cardiac and vascular medicine not elsewhere classified, Hepatology