Can exercise beat NASH? new trial seeks the perfect dose
NCT ID NCT04987879
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study aims to find the most effective amount of exercise to reduce liver fat in people with NASH, a serious liver disease. Researchers will compare different exercise doses in 45 sedentary adults aged 18-69 with NASH and early-stage liver scarring. The goal is to provide clear exercise guidelines since no approved drug therapy exists.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2022
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 69 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-69 years * Sedentary \[\<90 min/wk of exercise identified by the Get Active Questionnaire (GAQ) * BMI \>25kg/m2 * Liver biopsy within six months prior to enrollment showing: * NASH defined by NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) histology scoring system (NAS) \>4 and MRI-PDFF \>5% and; * Liver fibrosis stage 1-3 Exclusion Criteria: * Active cardiac symptoms * Body mass index (BMI) \>45kg/m2 * Cancer that is active * Inability to walk \>2 blocks * Institutionalized/prisoner * Other liver disease * Pregnancy * Secondary hepatic steatosis * Severe comorbidities * AUDIT-C questionnaire identified significant alcohol use * Substance abuse/active smoking * Uncontrolled diabetes (changes in drug dosing over previous three months or A1c \>9%) * GAQ response indicates exercise may be unsafe.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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