Solid organ transplant recipients: clinical considerations in the application of exercise

An 8-Week Virtual Exercise Training Program for Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

PURPOSE

Musculoskeletal strength can be impaired in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. Exercise training programs can be beneficial but in-person delivery can be challenging; virtual exercise programs can alleviate some of these challenges. This feasibility study aimed to deliver an 8-week virtual exercise program in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.

METHOD

Program delivery occurred 3 times per week for 30 minutes. An exercise stress test was completed prior to program start. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency strength subtest and self-report surveys were used to assess musculoskeletal strength, quality of life, fatigue, and physical activity. Contact was maintained through a text messaging platform. Z scores were calculated using standardized normative data. Medians (interquartile range) are reported for all other data.

RESULTS

Eleven participants completed the program (2 liver, 5 kidney, 4 heart; 58% females; median age = 11.5 [10.3-13.8] y). Six participants attended ≥60% of classes, 5 participants attended <50% of classes. After 8 weeks, strength scores improved (Z score, Pre: -1.0 [-1.65 to -0.60] to Post: -0.2 [-1.30 to 0.40]; P = .007) with no change in other outcome measures.

CONCLUSION

The virtual exercise program was delivered without technical issues and received positive participant feedback. Engagement and costs need to be considered.

Exercise interventions in solid organ transplant candidates: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Exercise training may be recommended to solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates to improve fitness and tolerance before surgery. We aimed to determine the acceptance, safety, and effectiveness of exercise interventions in SOT candidates.

METHODS

Online databases were searched. Studies of any design were included. Outcomes of interest were acceptance, safety, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles were included. Acceptance ranged from 16% to 100%. In the fifteen studies that assessed adverse events, none mentioned any adverse events occurring during the study. Five out of seven studies reported an increase in maximal exercise capacity post-exercise in the intervention group (range of mean change: 0.45 to 2.9 mL/kg). Eight out of fourteen studies reported an increase in 6-minute walking distance in the intervention group after the training period (range of mean change: 40-105 m). Two articles showed an improvement in the mental composite scores as well as in the physical composite scores post-exercise in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

There was a lack of significant findings among most randomized controlled trials. Exercise training is acceptable and safe for selective SOT candidates. The effects of exercise training on exercise capacity and quality of life in SOT candidates are unclear.

Sport and Exercise in Improving Outcomes After Solid Organ Transplantation: Overview From a UK Meeting. Transplantation. 2019;103:S1-S11. [PMID: 31259878 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002710]

Outcomes after solid organ transplantation continue to improve, but premature loss of life remains a major concern, with death from cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease accounting for around 20% late deaths. There are multiple contributory factors including preexisting, and the posttransplant development of, cardiometabolic conditions (such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity). There is accumulating evidence that the regular engagement in exercise is an important factor affecting outcomes before, during, and after transplantation; yet most waitlist candidates and recipients have reduced levels of physical activity. The mechanisms whereby physical activity is associated with better outcomes and a reduction in risk factors for cardiovascular disease are incompletely understood. Attempts to increase physical activity in the transplant population, as in the general population, have had limited success. Use of concepts from Nudge theory provides an evidence-based approach that may help increase physical activity and so reduce premature mortality. Both National and International Transplant Games provide a vehicle for increasing physical activity in this population and may also help to reduce premature death by providing a forum for mutual support for recipients and their families as well as an excellent forum for highlighting the success and impact of organ donation.

Is whole body vibration an alternative physical training method for renal transplant recipients?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a 12-week whole-body vibration (WBV) training program on quadriceps muscle strength, quadriceps thickness, the 6-min walk test (6MWT), respiratory muscle strength and quality of life in adults with a kidney transplant.

METHOD

Five renal transplant recipients (age: 43-52 years; body mass: 67.1 kg; height: 1.60 m) were examined individually before and after a 12-week WBV program (two weekly sessions, 35 Hz frequency, 2-4 mm amplitude) using quadriceps strength, quadriceps thickness, 6-min walking test, inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life.

RESULTS

There were no complications during WBV protocol, and the program was considered safe. Two of the participants changed quadriceps muscle strength, and one increased muscle thickness. Inspiratory muscle strength improved in one participant. The distance covered on 6MWT increased for two participants. Most of the subjects (P3, P4 and P5) reported improved quality of life, mainly regarding pain and social aspects.

CONCLUSION

The protocol improved the physical function and quality of life in some of the patients. However, WBV training prescription should be adjusted according to individual needs. Thus, studying the use of WBV in this patient group is necessary to understand and apply the benefits for this population.

Therapeutic perceptions in management of transplant athletes at transplant games

OBJECTIVE

To investigate manual therapist's knowledge and beliefs of working with Transplantee Athletes (TxA) at Transplant Games.

DESIGN

On-line questionnaire.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty present and previous members of Transplant Sport 'therapy team' (age; 35 ± 14 years, 24 female).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Questions concerned demographics and general information on the background of the therapists. Closed questions with rating statements concerning beliefs when treating TxA and open questions asking for advice the participants would give to colleagues and further information they would like to have available to them.

RESULTS

TxA were thought to be a vulnerable group of athletes requiring special precautions and considerations. Two areas of information evolved: "general advice for TxA management" and "specific advice for therapists". General advice was to understand TxAs and be vigilant with hygiene. Specific therapy advice was to avoid grade V manipulations and care with taping and massage, because of complications resulting from side effects of long-term medication.

CONCLUSION

There appears to be a lack of research-based evidence to guide practitioners in their management of TxAs. Generic, good advice is now available from experienced practitioners however there is a paucity of research evidence to support this. Thus, there is a potential danger of being overcautious in approaches to treatment which ultimately may impact on athletic performance. .

Effects of whole body vibration on cardiac autonomic function and exercise capacity in renal transplant recipients

Background/Aims

Whole body vibration is an exercise alternative that can be used in the rehabilitation of renal transplant recipients with the aim of reducing cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole body vibration training on heart rate variability, cardiorespiratory parameters and functional capacity on five renal transplant recipients.

Methods

Renal transplant recipients underwent whole body vibration exercise twice a week for a total of 12 weeks. All participants were monitored using the 24-hour Holter to evaluate the heart rate variability domains. An exercise test to evaluate maximal oxygen consumption and the distance walked in the Six-Minute Walk Test to evaluate functional capacity were also recorded.

Results

Overall, two of the five transplant recipients improved sympathovagal balance at the end of the study. Maximal oxygen consumption improved in three transplanted patients, and the distance walked improved for two patients. The results showed that whole body vibration training improved heart rate variability and maximal and submaximal test performance in some transplanted recipients.

Conclusion

The 12-week training protocol with twice weekly whole body vibration sessions was sufficient to improve heart rate variability and the performance of maximal and submaximal tests in some renal transplant recipients, although the responses were heterogeneous for the considered variables. Whole body vibration may be an alternative to conventional means of physical exercise because it causes minimal cardiovascular stress, which could be especially indicated for this population given the risk presence of arrhythmias and sudden death; therefore studies with better designs need to be developed in order to verify the effectiveness of this intervention.

Physician Practice Patterns and Barriers to Counselling on Physical Activity in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Background

Many solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients fail to meet the recommended physical activity (PA) levels. “Physician recommendation” has previously been reported by SOT recipients as a key facilitator to being more physically active. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of Canadian SOT physicians providing PA counselling and identify barriers to including such counselling as part of the SOT recipients’ routine care.

Material/Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey study to evaluate physicians’ PA counselling practices, including the prevalence and barriers to such practice. A survey link was sent to a convenience sample of transplant physicians who are members of the Canadian Society of Transplantation.

Results

Thirty-four physicians (13.6%) participated in the survey. While 97% (n=33) of the participants reported providing PA counselling to their transplant patients, only 18% (n=6) responded they were very confident in PA counselling. Lack of time (n=19; 56%) and a lack of exercise guidelines (n=18; 53%) were identified as the main barriers to PA counselling.

Conclusions

Incorporating sufficient PA knowledge into physicians’ educational curricula system, developing specific PA guidelines as well as establishing an easier referral system to exercise specialists might improve the frequency and quality of PA counselling post-transplant.

Renal function and physical fitness after 12-mo supervised training in kidney transplant recipients

AIM

To evaluate the effect of a 12-mo supervised aerobic and resistance training, on renal function and exercise capacity compared to usual care recommendations.

METHODS

Ninety-nine kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) were assigned to interventional exercise (Group A; n = 52) and a usual care cohort (Group B; n = 47). Blood and urine chemistry, exercise capacity, muscular strength, anthropometric measures and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed at baseline, and after 6 and 12 mo. Group A underwent a supervised training three times per week for 12 mo. Group B received only general recommendations about home-based physical activities.

RESULTS

Eighty-five KTRs completed the study (Group A, n = 44; Group B, n = 41). After 12 mo, renal function remained stable in both groups. Group A significantly increased maximum workload (+13 W, P = 0.0003), V’O₂ peak (+3.1 mL/kg per minute, P = 0.0099), muscular strength in plantar flexor (+12 kg, P = 0.0368), height in the countermovement jump (+1.9 cm, P = 0.0293) and decreased in Body Mass Index (-0.5 kg/m², P = 0.0013). HRQoL significantly improved in physical function (P = 0.0019), physical-role limitations (P = 0.0321) and social functioning scales (P = 0.0346). No improvements were found in Group B.

CONCLUSION

Twelve-month of supervised aerobic and resistance training improves the physiological variables related to physical fitness and cardiovascular risks without consequences on renal function. Recommendations alone are not sufficient to induce changes in exercise capacity of KTRs. Our study is an example of collaborative working between transplant centres, sports medicine and exercise facilities.