Physiotherapy Program Applied After Liver Transplantation: Its Effect on Physical Fitness and Mobility

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of therapeutic exercises added to the comprehensive chest physiotherapy program after liver transplantation on physical fitness, movement level and kinesophobia. Methods: Forty individuals with liver transplantation were included in the study. Individuals were divided into two groups by using simple randomization method. The first group was included in the comprehensive chest physiotherapy program. In addition to the comprehensive chest physiotherapy, combined therapeutic exercises with respiration were added to the program of the second group. The patients were included in the treatment program for 4 weeks, 1 session a day, and 5 days a week. Physical and demographic characteristics of the individuals were recorded. ``Senior Fitness Test{''}, ``Patient Mobility Scale and Observer Mobility Scale{''}, ``Tampa Kinesophobia scale{''} were used to evaluate physical fitness, movement level and kinesophobia, respectively. Results: Physical and demographic characteristics of the individuals were recorded. ``Senior Fitness Test{''}, ``Patient Mobility Scale and Observer Mobility Scale{''}, ``Tampa Kinesophobia scale{''} were used to evaluate physical fitness, movement level and kinesophobia, respectively. According to the results of ``Senior Fitness Test{''} aerobic endurance, lower extremity muscle endurance, dynamic The improvement in balance and agility parameters was significantly higher in group 2 (p<0.05). Results of the ``Patient Mobility Scale{''} showed significant improvements in post-treatment measurements in both groups (p<0.001). The development in the 2nd group showed a significant difference compared to the 1st group (p<0.05). While a significant improvement was observed in both groups in the ``Observer Mobility Scale{''} and ``Tampa Kinesophobia Scale{''} scores after treatment (p<0.001), no significant difference was found between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The therapeutic exercise program added to breathing exercises after liver transplantation increased physical fitness, and also had positive effects on movement level and kinesophobia.