Liver TransplantationNCT07425314
Effects of The Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Program in Liver Transplant Patients
A study testing Telerehabilitation Exercise Group in people with Liver Transplantation and Postoperative Recovery, run by Hasan Kalyoncu University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation-based exercise program on muscle strength, exercise capacity, fatigue level, and cognitive status in adult liver transplant recipients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Liver Transplantation, Postoperative Recovery, Muscle Weakness
- What is being tested?
- Telerehabilitation Exercise Group
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 140 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 12 Oct 2024to 28 Nov 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult liver transplant recipients aged 18 years or older
- Medically stable and cleared for participation in an exercise program
- Able to communicate and cooperate with the researcher
- Literate and able to understand instructions
- No orthopedic or neurological condition that would limit exercise participation
- Approximately one month post-discharge following liver transplantation
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Presence of medical conditions that contraindicate exercise participation
- Severe cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders that could interfere with the exercise program
- Cognitive impairment preventing understanding of instructions or participation in assessments
- Postoperative complications requiring activity restriction
- Participation in another structured exercise or rehabilitation program during the study period
- Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center
Malatya, 4400
About this study
Official title: Effects of The Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Program On Muscle Strength, Exercise Capacity and Fatigue Levels in Liver Transplant Patients
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation-based exercise program on muscle strength, exercise capacity, fatigue level, and cognitive status in adult liver transplant recipients. Liver transplantation is a major surgical procedure, and patients may experience reduced physical capacity, muscle weakness, and fatigue during recovery. Exercise-based rehabilitation may help improve these outcomes, but access to in-person rehabilitation programs may be limited after discharge.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving routine post-transplant care or an intervention group participating in a supervised telerehabilitation exercise program. The intervention consists of a 12-week program conducted twice weekly via video communication with a physiotherapist. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the program.
The study seeks to determine whether a structured, remotely supervised exercise program can improve functional recovery and reduce fatigue in liver transplant patients, potentially offering an accessible rehabilitation option after hospital discharge.
Read the detailed description
Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that requires a structured recovery process extending from the pre-transplant period through hospitalization and post-discharge phases. After transplantation, patients frequently experience reduced physical capacity, decreased muscle strength, fatigue, and functional limitations that may negatively affect quality of life and recovery. Early and structured rehabilitation interventions are therefore considered important components of post-transplant care.
- Being tested
- Telerehabilitation Exercise Group
- Keywords
- Physiotherapy, Liver Transplantation, Telerehabilitation, Functional Capacity, Fatigue
- Medical subject headings
- Muscle Weakness, Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Telerehabilitation Exercise GroupBehavioural
Participants in this group received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program delivered under real-time supervision by a physiotherapist. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and was conducted twice weekly via video communication. Each session lasted approximately 30-45 minutes and included warm-up exercises, posture and breathing exercises, isometric strengthening exercises for upper and lower extremities, functional exercises such as sit-to-stand, and walking training, followed by cool-down and stretching. Exercise intensity was maintained at a moderate level based on perceived exertion, and progression was applied throughout the program by increasing repetitions and duration to ensure adaptation and safety. Participants were initially instructed face-to-face before discharge and then continued the program remotely after discharge.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Telerehabilitation Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants assigned to this arm received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program in addition to routine post-transplant care. The program was conducted for 12 weeks, twice weekly, via real-time video communication with a physiotherapist. Sessions included warm-up exercises, posture and breathing exercises, isometric strengthening exercises, functional movements such as sit-to-stand, walking training, and cool-down stretching. Exercise intensity was maintained at a moderate level and progressed gradually throughout the program. Receives: Behavioral: Telerehabilitation Exercise Group |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants assigned to this arm continued their routine daily activities and received standard post-transplant care without participating in a structured or supervised exercise or rehabilitation program during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance
Change in functional exercise capacity measured by the distance (meters) walked during the 6-minute walk test.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period
Fatigue Severity Scale
Change in fatigue severity measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Total scores range from 9 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period
Secondary outcomes (3)
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Change in oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximeter.
Measured: Baseline and end of 12 weeks
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score
Change in cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Measured: Baseline and end of 12 weeks
Heart Rate
Change in heart rate measured using a pulse oximeter device.
Measured: Baseline and end of 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Feb 2026
- Study start12 Oct 2024
- Primary completion15 Sep 2025
- Study completion28 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Liver TransplantationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program in addition to routine post-transplant care, while the control group continued routine daily activities without a supervised exercise intervention. The study followed a parallel assignment design in which participants remained in their allocated group throughout the 12-week intervention period, and outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 140 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hasan Kalyoncu University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, İlker DEMİR, Inonu University
- Investigators
- Ilker Demir, PhD, Principal investigator, Inonu University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07425314
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024/113
- Other IDs
- 2024/113
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data may be shared upon reasonable request, subject to approval by the principal investigator and institutional ethics committee, and in accordance with data protection and confidentiality regulations.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of The Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Program On Muscle Strength, Exercise Capacity and Fatigue Levels in Liver Transplant Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07425314
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024/113
- Keywords
- Physiotherapy, Liver Transplantation, Telerehabilitation, Functional Capacity, Fatigue
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 140 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hasan Kalyoncu UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 28 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation-based exercise program on muscle strength, exercise capacity, fatigue level, and cognitive status in adult liver transplant recipients. Liver transplantation is a major surgical procedure, and patients may experience reduced physical capacity, muscle weakness, and fatigue during recovery. Exercise-based rehabilitation may help improve these outcomes, but access to in-person rehabilitation programs may be limited after discharge.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving routine post-transplant care or an intervention group participating in a supervised telerehabilitation exercise program. The intervention consists of a 12-week program conducted twice weekly via video communication with a physiotherapist. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the program.
The study seeks to determine whether a structured, remotely supervised exercise program can improve functional recovery and reduce fatigue in liver transplant patients, potentially offering an accessible rehabilitation option after hospital discharge.
Detailed description
Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that requires a structured recovery process extending from the pre-transplant period through hospitalization and post-discharge phases. After transplantation, patients frequently experience reduced physical capacity, decreased muscle strength, fatigue, and functional limitations that may negatively affect quality of life and recovery. Early and structured rehabilitation interventions are therefore considered important components of post-transplant care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program in addition to routine post-transplant care, while the control group continued routine daily activities without a supervised exercise intervention. The study followed a parallel assignment design in which participants remained in their allocated group throughout the 12-week intervention period, and outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Telerehabilitation Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Telerehabilitation Exercise GroupParticipants assigned to this arm received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program in addition to routine post-transplant care. The program was conducted for 12 weeks, twice weekly, via real-time video communication with a physiotherapist. Sessions included warm-up exercises, posture and breathing exercises, isometric strengthening exercises, functional movements such as sit-to-stand, walking training, and cool-down stretching. Exercise intensity was maintained at a moderate level and progressed gradually throughout the program. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants assigned to this arm continued their routine daily activities and received standard post-transplant care without participating in a structured or supervised exercise or rehabilitation program during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Adult liver transplant recipients aged 18 years or older
- Medically stable and cleared for participation in an exercise program
- Able to communicate and cooperate with the researcher
- Literate and able to understand instructions
- No orthopedic or neurological condition that would limit exercise participation
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of medical conditions that contraindicate exercise participation
- Severe cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders that could interfere with the exercise program
- Cognitive impairment preventing understanding of instructions or participation in assessments
- Postoperative complications requiring activity restriction
- Participation in another structured exercise or rehabilitation program during the study period
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Telerehabilitation Exercise GroupParticipants in this group received a structured telerehabilitation-based exercise program delivered under real-time supervision by a physiotherapist. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and was conducted twice weekly via video communication. Each session lasted approximately 30-45 minutes and included warm-up exercises, posture and breathing exercises, isometric strengthening exercises for upper and lower extremities, functional exercises such as sit-to-stand, and walking training, followed by cool-down and stretching. Exercise intensity was maintained at a moderate level based on perceived exertion, and progression was applied throughout the program by increasing repetitions and duration to ensure adaptation and safety. Participants were initially instructed face-to-face before discharge and then continued the program remotely after discharge. | Behavioural | Telerehabilitation Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period
Change in functional exercise capacity measured by the distance (meters) walked during the 6-minute walk test.
Fatigue Severity Scale
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period
Change in fatigue severity measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Total scores range from 9 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.
3 secondary outcomes
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Time frame: Baseline and end of 12 weeks
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score
Time frame: Baseline and end of 12 weeks
Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline and end of 12 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data may be shared upon reasonable request, subject to approval by the principal investigator and institutional ethics committee, and in accordance with data protection and confidentiality regulations.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Ilker Demir, PhD principal investigator
Inonu University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Telerehabilitation Exercise Group in people with Liver Transplantation and Postoperative Recovery, run by Hasan Kalyoncu University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and end of the 12-week intervention period). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Feb 2026.