A new study has shown that the strength training intervention (STRIVE), a home-based structured exercise program for patients with cirrhosis, seems to substantially improve the quality of life (QOL). On the other hand, improvement in the Liver Frailty Index (LFI0 appears to be minimal.
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The study included adult patients with cirrhosis having
an average age of 61 years old, where 43% were women at three sites were randomized
to 12 weeks of STRIVE, which covered a 30-minute strength training video plus a
health coach, or to standard of care. Physical function and quality of life
were assessed using the LFI and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), correspondingly.
The patients had a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease
Sodium score 14, and 54% were Child-Pugh B/C. The baseline characteristics were
similar between the STRIVE and SOC groups, with the exception for the rates of hepatic
encephalopathy.
At week 12, the 43 STRIVE and 20 SOC volunteers had available
LFI. The average LFI improved in both groups, from 3.8 to 3.6 in the STRIVE arm
and from 3.7 to 3.6 in the SOC arm. CLDQ scores also improved in STRIVE
participants from 4.6 to 5.2, but did not change in SOC participants.
There was one patient in the SOC arm died of bleeding.
Notably, only 14% of STRIVE participants stick to the strength training video
for 10 – 12 weeks. There were no adverse events reported in the intervention
arm group.
Source: Am J Gastroenterol 2021;116:717-722