Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Autonomic and Endothelial Function and Splanchnic Hemodynamics in Compensated Cirrhosis: RCT Study
By Kittiprachakul S, Rangkla S, Kulaputana O and 7 others.
Abstract
Background
Patients with cirrhosis often develop autonomic dysfunction (AD) and endothelial dysfunction (ED), which correlate with higher mortality. Aerobic exercise (AE) is a potential intervention, yet its effects on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hemodynamics remain underinvestigated in cirrhosis.
Methods
We conducted a parallel-group randomized controlled trial including 50 sedentary patients with compensated cirrhosis. Participants were randomized to a 16-week moderate-intensity AE plus nutritional consultation (AE group; n = 25) or nutritional consultation alone (control group, CG; n = 25). Outcomes included heart rate variability (HRV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for peripheral circulation, mesenteric Doppler ultrasound for splanchnic hemodynamics, and sarcopenia-related outcomes (body composition, handgrip strength dynamometry, and the 6-min walk test [6MWT]). Data were analysed using intention-to-treat (ITT), modified ITT (mITT), and per-protocol approaches, as well as general linear mixed models (LMM).