Published online Jun 24, 2016. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v6.i2.429
Peer-review started: January 15, 2016
First decision: February 2, 2016
Revised: February 18, 2016
Accepted: April 14, 2016
Article in press: April 18, 2016
Published online: June 24, 2016
Processing time: 160 Days and 19.8 Hours
AIM: To increase inspiratory muscle strength and improve the quality of life of candidates for liver transplantation.
METHODS: Twenty-three candidates for liver transplantation participated in the control group and 14 made up the intervention group. The control group consisted of 18 men and 5 women, body mass index (BMI) 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 18.2 ± 6.1. The intervention group consisted of 11 men and 3 women, BMI 28.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and MELD 18 ± 4.5. The presence or absence of ascites was identified in the first patient evaluation and after three months. We evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure, spirometry, root mean square (RMS) of diaphragm and rectus abdominis, and the quality of life. The exercises were performed daily by patients at home for three months and were supervised at distance monthly. The manual consisted of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, diaphragmatic isometric exercise, Threshold IMT®, lifting upper limbs with a bat and strengthening the abdomen.
RESULTS: There was significant difference (P = 0.01) between the first (initial) and the third month (final) MIP in the control group and in the intervention group, but there was no difference (P = 0.45) between the groups. The RMS of the diaphragm was lower (P = 0.001) and the functional capacity was higher (P = 0.006) in the intervention group compared to the control. The general health and mental health domains received higher scores after three months in the control group (P = 0.01) and the intervention group (P = 0.004), but there was no significant difference between them. The comparison between the presence of initial ascites with the presence of ascites was performed after three months in the control group (P = 0.083) and intervention group (P = 0.31). There was no significant difference, in relation to the presence of ascites after three months between groups (P = 0.21). In the intervention group, patients with ascites at the end of the time period had decreased scores on the social aspects SF-36 domain (P = 0.023) compared to those who had no ascites.
CONCLUSION: The proposed exercises provide an increase in the inspiratory muscle strength and improve functional capacity, consequently bettering the quality of life of liver disease patients.
Core tip: Studies on the effects of exercises, mainly those on breathing for liver transplant patients on the waiting list, are rare in the literature. This study proposes a manual of exercises for this group in order to increase muscle strength and improve their quality of life, as sarcopenia found in these patients contributes to a worsening of quality of life and is associated with mortality. The results are encouraging and may represent the beginning of further studies in the area and the establishment of exercise protocols for liver diseases.