title: Management of the extrahepatic symptoms of chronic hepatitis C: feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of exercise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and the efficacy of a physiotherapy-led exercise program in changing the health status of a sample of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of patients with iatrogenically acquired hepatitis C in Ireland. Twenty-two participants were recruited and randomly assigned to exercise (n = 10) and control (n = 12) groups. Both groups received a generic exercise advice leaflet, and the exercise group attended 12 exercise sessions for 6 wks. A battery of physical performance measures and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed at baseline and 6 wks, with 1-yr follow-up of the self-reported measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant group by time interactions during the 6-wk period were found for pain (F(1,20) = 5.15, P = 0.034), grip strength (F(1,20) = 5.94, P = 0.024), aerobic capacity (F(1,20) = 5.73, P = 0.024), and depression (F(1,20) = 6.16, P = 0.022), with the exercise group showing greater positive change. The exercise group also had superior gains in the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey vitality and social function scores (P < 0.05). The short-term gains were not sustained at 1 yr.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study shows the feasibility of exercise in hepatitis C management, improving physical fitness, psychologic function, and quality-of-life without worsening symptoms in the short term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Mid-Western Regional Hospitals, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Caitriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gissane
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blake
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome