Protein timing and exercise: a new hope for liver transplant patients?

NCT ID NCT07561138

Disease control Sponsor: Kalliopi Anna Poulia Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether eating protein evenly throughout the day, combined with a regular exercise program, can improve nutrition, muscle mass, and strength in people with end-stage liver disease awaiting a transplant. 90 participants will be split into three groups: one with evenly spaced protein plus exercise, one with uneven protein plus exercise, and one with standard advice. The goal is to see if the structured approach helps patients be in better shape for surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: diet with even protein distribution plus exercise program
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-drug way to improve nutrition and physical function in people waiting for a liver transplant.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage behavioral trial with only 90 participants. The results may not apply to all patients, and the benefits might be modest or not statistically significant.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

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

About 90 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jan 2026

Expected to finish

Jul 2029

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 70 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * End-stage liver disease, diagnosed by transient elastography (FibroScan) or imaging-based evaluation with compatible clinical picture * Referred for liver transplantation and evaluated to have a high likelihood of being listed, according to primary hepatologist assessment, or already listed for liver transplantation * No prior formal dietary advice Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years old * Estimated waiting time for liver transplantation \< 3 months * Estimated life expectancy \< 3 months * Chronic kidney disease requiring protein restriction * Exercise contraindicated (e.g., active or recent variceal bleeding, severe grade of hepatic encephalopathy, refractory ascites, etc.) * Unstable or severe psychiatric disorder * Pregnancy or lactation * Inability to provide written informed consent

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for End-stage liver disease are added.

Vår säkerhetsrekommendation!

Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic liver failure cirrhosis of liver End Stage Liver Disease Frailty liver disorder Malnutrition Motor Activity nutritional deficiency disease Sarcopenia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

End-stage liver disease Frailty Liver cirrhosis Liver transplantation Malnutrition Sarcopenia

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

Open the record ↗
A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Protein timing and exercise: a new hope for liver transplant patients?

What the study statuses mean