Utilization of a Directly Supervised Telehealth-Based Exercise Training Program in Patients With Nonalcoholic...

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Hepatology
• Digital health

Background:

• Most patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are inactive, missing exercise benefits.
• Telehealth presents a potential solution for delivering exercise programs to increase physical activity.
• The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of telehealth exercise for NAFLD patients remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a telehealth-delivered, directly supervised exercise training program.
• The study focused on patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive form of NAFLD.

Main Methods:

• A 20-week moderate-intensity aerobic training program was delivered 5 days/week via telehealth.
• Supervision occurred in real-time using an audio-visual platform, with participants exercising outdoors or on treadmills.
• Fitness trackers monitored exercise intensity and heart rate, providing real-time feedback.

Main Results:

• Three biopsy-proven NASH patients (mean age 52) with metabolic syndrome completed the program.
• High adherence (84%) and no adverse events were reported.
• Significant improvements observed in body weight (-5.1%), body fat (-4.4%), waist circumference, MRI-PDFF (-35.1%), HbA1c, insulin resistance, and VO2peak.

Conclusions:

• Supervised exercise training via telehealth is a feasible and safe intervention for NASH patients.
• Telehealth exercise shows high efficacy in improving NASH-related health parameters.
• Larger trials are needed to confirm these promising findings.