NCT05237583

Prehabilitation for Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation

Does a Multimodal Prehabilitation Program Improve Markers of Frailty in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Liver Transplantation? A Feasibility Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (actual)
• Sponsor: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will assess the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of a structured prehabilitation program combining exercise training, nutritional optimization and psychological support for patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation.

Detailed description

Due to their chronic liver disease, patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation develop low muscle mass, poor nutritional status and decreased reserves putting them at high risk of postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stay, and failed discharge home after liver transplantation. Prehabilitation aims to optimize a patient before they undergo a major surgery. These programs combine exercise training, with nutritional optimization and psychological support. Together, these contribute to improve their muscle mass, tolerance to exercise, and nutritional status. The current study will assess whether an individualized and structured prehabilitation program combining supervised exercise training, nutritional optimization and psychological support will benefit patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation.

Conditions

• Cirrhosis, Liver
• Liver Transplantation
• Frailty

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Prehabilitation	All participants will be offered a multimodal prehabilitation program. This program will include an individualized and supervised aerobic and resistance exercise training program, nutritional optimization, and psychological support. The program will last 6 months or until liver transplantation, whichever comes first.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-02-23
• Primary completion: 2025-12-01
• Completion: 2025-12-01
• First posted: 2022-02-14
• Last updated: 2026-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada