Abstract
Purpose: To describe the changes in functional outcomes after an inpatient rehabilitation program for solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients and determine whether any changes in functional mobility, lower body strength and lower limb muscle strength were associated with changes in functional exercise capacity. Methods: Twenty-one SOT recipients (7 liver; 2 liver + kidney; 1 kidney + pancreas; 2 heart; 2 single lung; 7 double lung; 58±8 yrs; 62% men (n = 13)) were enrolled in the study and participated in a multidisciplinary program (total duration: 23 ± 9 days) that was comprised of occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological and nutritional support and nursing. Functional exercise capacity (2 Minute Walk test (2MWT)), balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)), functional mobility (Time Up and Go (TUG)), lower body strength (30 Second Sit-To-Stand Test), functional independence (Functional Independence Measure (FIM®)), self-reported performance during activities of daily living (ADL) (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)) and health related quality of life (Rand-36) were measured before and after the rehabilitation program. Elbow flexion and knee extension force were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Results: Sixteen subjects completed the study and showed significant improvements in 2MWT (32.7 ± 21 meters; p<.001), BBS (16 ± 9 points; p<.001), FIM (21 ±16 points; p<.001), COPM ( 3 ± 2.5 points; p<.001), elbow flexion (3 ± 4 newtons; p= 0.01) and knee extension (5.5 ± 4.4 newtons; p<.001) but not in TUG (-0.7 ± 13 seconds; p = 0.8), 30 second sit-to-stand (1 ± 2.4 repetitions; p = 0.1) or Rand-36 (-1 ± 26 points; p = 0.9). There was a weak non-significant correlation between 2MWT and TUG (r = 0.3; p = 0.2), 30 second sit-to-stand (r = 0.04; p = 0.8) and knee extension (r = - 0.2; p = 0.4) Conclusion: An inpatient rehabilitation program is effective in improving functional outcomes in SOT recipients.
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