Inspiratory Muscle Training Post-Liver Transplant

Individuals with chronic liver disease develop significant muscle wasting that remains post-liver transplant. The transplant surgery additionally challenges respiratory mechanics. Respiratory muscle strength has been measured to be impaired in individuals post liver transplant. This study proposes an 8 week intervention designed to increase respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function that we hypothesize will correlate to improved functional performance and quality of life post-liver transplant. Pre-test post-test design, that will randomize subjects into an experimental group that will receive the inspiratory muscle strengthening exercise in addition to usual post-liver transplant care and a control group that will only receive the usual post-transplant care. Up to 50 subjects will be recruited from the Post-Liver Transplant Outpatient Clinic at the Miami Transplant Institute. The subjects will have repeated measurements of respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, functional mobility performance, and quality of life at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.

The experimental group will perform Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) using a THRESHOLD device, a simple hand held one way valve. In addition, the experimental group will gradually increase their activity as part of their usual care post-transplant.

Subjects will breath through a hand held valve that has adjustable resistance to strengthen the muscles used for breathing. Subjects will perform the exercise approximately 20-30 minutes, twice a day for 8 weeks.

MIP is a measure of inspiratory muscle strength . Inspiratory testing will be performed using a Micro Mouth Pressure Manometer. 92887) Measurements will be performed in the testing position with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing. Each measurement will be performed 3 times with the maximal score recorded.

FEV1 is how much air can be exhaled during a forced exhalation at one second. Inspiratory testing will be performed using a Micro Mouth Pressure Manometer. 92887) Measurements will be performed in the testing position with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing. Each measurement will be performed 3 times with the maximal score recorded.

In a 100ft. straight hallway the subject will walk back and forth, from one end to the other, as many times as they can in 6 minutes. The subject will have the option to rest at any time during the six minutes. The clock will keep running whether the subject is walking or resting. The subject will be provided standardized cues to prevent unequal encouragement. The distance walked over the 6 minutes will be recorded. Throughout the walking test, the investigator will be walking nearby to guard patient from loss of balance or fall.

From a straight back chair the subject will come to a complete stand and then return to sitting with arms across chest. The number of times the subject can stand in 30 seconds will be recorded. The investigator will be standing nearby guarding the subject to protect from any loss of balance or fall.

This is a paper and pencil questionnaire consisting of 29 items in 6 domains: 1) Abdominal Symptoms 2) Activity: eating habits and movement of heavy objects 3) Emotional Function 4) Fatigue: perception of decreased energy and sleepiness 5) Systemic symptoms 6) Worry: concerns regarding disease progression and family. Summary scores for each domain range from 1(most impaired) to 7 (least impaired). All items refer to the previous 2 weeks. Higher scores indicate less impairment.

This is a paper pencil questionnaire measuring functional impairment. The questionnaire is divided into three groups for classifying patient's ability to work, to carry on normal activity, and to care for themselves. The groups are further divided into eleven categories covering all level so functioning from normal (100) to dead (0). The lower the Karnovsky score, the worse the functional ability and survival for most serious illness. The liver transplant team records this measure prior to transplant. We will obtained pre-transplant scores from medical record for use in correlational analysis. This measure will also performed at baseline and post-testing.

SMIP will be measured from residual volume to total lung capacity representing single breath work/endurance. Inspiratory testing will be performed using a Micro Mouth Pressure Manometer. 92887) Measurements will be performed in the testing position with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing.

ID is the inspiratory flow during maximal inspiration effort with an isokinetic like resistance from the mouthpiece. Inspiratory testing will be performed using a Micro Mouth Pressure Manometer. 92887) Measurements will be performed in the testing position with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing.

MEP is a measure of expiratory muscle strength measured from total lung capacity. Inspiratory testing will be performed using a Micro Mouth Pressure Manometer. 92887) Measurements will be performed in the testing position with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing.

FVC is the total amount of air exhaled during a pulmonary function test. Expiratory testing will be performed using the Jones Satellite Spirometer (Jones Medical Instrument Company, Oakbrook, Illinois 65021) Measurements will be performed in the manner described using American Thoracic Society guidelines with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing. Each measurement will be performed 3 times with the maximal score recorded.

FEF25-75% is the flow rate at 25% to 75% of Forced Vital Capacity. Expiratory testing will be performed using the Jones Satellite Spirometer (Jones Medical Instrument Company, Oakbrook, Illinois 65021) Measurements will be performed in the manner described using American Thoracic Society guidelines with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing. Each measurement will be performed 3 times with the maximal score recorded.

PEFR is a measure of how fast a person can exhale. Expiratory testing will be performed using the Jones Satellite Spirometer (Jones Medical Instrument Company, Oakbrook, Illinois 65021) Measurements will be performed in the manner described using American Thoracic Society guidelines with subjects in the seated position and the trunk at a 90 degree angle to the hips. Subjects will wear a nose clip during testing. Each measurement will be performed 3 times with the maximal score recorded.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects must have undergone liver transplantation for chronic liver disease of any origin other than cancer. Exclusion Criteria: Severe cardiopulmonary disease such as recent Myocardial infarction, Congestive Heart Failure, Pulmonary edema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Asthma, Severe osteoarthritis Blindness Wheelchair bound individuals Individuals with neurological / neuromuscular disorders including but not limited to: cerebral vascular accident, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease, dystonia, multiple sclerosis, and polio. Severe Cognitive impairment where individuals cannot follow commands and are unable to sign informed consent -