Impact of Frailty on Physical Activity in the Postoperative Period After Liver Transplant Surgery: Pilot Study Using Fitbit Watch

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Publication Title

Clinical transplantation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Robust physical activity after liver transplant (LT) is an important determinant of long-term health. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether a physical activity monitor (PAM) can be employed to monitor postoperative physical activity levels after LT.

METHODS: Adult patients undergoing LT were screened for inclusion. Several frailty tests, including the liver frailty index, were performed in the preoperative and postoperative periods. All patients were provided with Fitbit Inspire 2 watches to measure biophysical data and were instructed to wear them continuously for 30-60 postoperative days (POD).

RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled in the study. There was a negative linear correlation between age and the average daily steps during POD 1-30 and POD 31-60 after LT (r = -0.52, P = 0.001; r = -0.36, P = 0.044, respectively). In addition, longer hospital length of stay was negatively associated with daily steps during POD 1-30 and POD 31-60 (r = -0.43, P = 0.01; r = -0.50, P = 0.002, respectively). The majority of patients (89%) reported a medical benefit from using the PAM in the postoperative period.

CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of providing wearable devices to measure patient physical activity after LT.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Pilot Projects; Liver Transplantation; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Exercise; Frailty; Follow-Up Studies; Prognosis; Postoperative Period; Adult; Aged

PubMed ID

40638441

Volume

39

Issue

7

First Page

70230

Last Page

70230

Find It @ Sladen

Share

COinS