McKenna, Olivia and Cunningham, Caitriona and Gissane, Conor and Blake, Catherine (2013) Management of the extrahepatic symptoms of chronic hepatitis C. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation , 92 , (6) , 504 -512.
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and the efficacy of a physiotherapy-led exercise program in changing the health status of a sample of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Design: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of patients with iatrogenically acquired hepatitis C in Ireland. Twenty-two participants were recruited and randomly assigned to exercise (n = 10) and control (n = 1 2) groups. Both groups received a generic exercise advice leaflet, and the exercise group attended 1 2 exercise sessions for 6 wks. A battery of physical performance measures and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed at baseline and 6 wks, with 1 -yr follow-up of the self-reported measures.
Results: Significant group by time interactions during the 6-wk period were found for pain (F<sub>1,20</sub> = 5.15, P= 0.034), grip strength (F<sub>1,20</sub> = 5.94, P = 0.024), aerobic capacity (F<sub>1,20</sub> = 5.73, P = 0.024), and depression (F<sub>1,20</sub>0 = 6.1 6, P= 0.022), with the exercise group showing greater positive change. The exercise group also had superior gains in the 36-ltem Short-Form Health Survey vitality and social function scores (P < 0.05). The short-term gains were not sustained at 1 yr.
Conclusions: This pilot study shows the feasibility of exercise in hepatitis C management, improving physical fitness, psychologic function, and quality-of-life without worsening symptoms in the short term.
Field | Value |
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Item Type: | Article |
Date: | June 2013 |
Page Range: | 504 -512 |
Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
Volume: | 92 |
Number: | 6 |
EndNote: | View |
Related URLs: | |
Subjects: | G Health and disease > Disorder by cause > Communicable disease > Hepatitis C HJ Treatment method > Treatment outcome J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Care by type of problem VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland |
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