Multidisciplinary Non-Pharmacological Intervention to Improve Quality of Life in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (TAO)
Integrated Multidisciplinary Non-Pharmacological Treatment for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Single-Center Pilot Study
This is a single-center interventional study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a multidisciplinary non-pharmacological approach based on acupuncture, telerehabilitation-based physical rehabilitation, and brain health programs to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychophysical well-being in patients who have undergone solid organ transplantation (SOT) at least one year earlier, as well as to provide a preliminary estimate of its effects.
Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is currently the most effective treatment, and often the only available option, for end-stage organ failure. Although transplantation can lead to a restitutio ad integrum from a clinical perspective, the quality of life of transplant recipients, regardless of the transplanted organ, frequently remains lower than that of the general population.
This project stems from the clinical, social, and scientific need to provide a concrete response to this challenge through the implementation of functional, reproducible, and economically sustainable rehabilitation pathways aimed at improving HRQoL in solid organ transplant recipients. The proposed approach is based on an innovative multidisciplinary model integrating telerehabilitation, acupuncture, and cognitive stimulation. Such a structured model of care may not only improve patients' quality of life and subjective well-being, but also represent an effective strategy for comprehensive post-transplant management by helping reduce complications, prevent cognitive decline, and promote a more person-centered, sustainable, and humane approach to care.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Contact
- Name: Giada Pietrosi
- Phone Number: +39 0912192111
- Email: gpietrosi@ismett.edu
Study Contact Backup
- Name: Monica Rizzo
- Phone Number: +39 0912192692
- Email: morizzo@ismett.edu
Study Locations
-
-
Palermo
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Palermo, Palermo, Italy, 90127
- Recruiting
- IRCCS ISMETT - Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e le Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione
-
Contact:
- Giada Pietrosi
- Phone Number: +39 0912192111
- Email: gpietrosi@ismett.edu
-
-
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 25 years and ≤ 65 years;
- Solid organ transplantation (liver, kidney, heart, or lung) performed at least 1 year prior to enrollment, with good graft functional recovery according to organ-specific criteria;
- Ability to understand and independently complete questionnaires;
- Ability to provide written informed consent;
- Absence of clinical contraindications to therapeutic exercise;
- Adequate cognitive status;
- SF-36 score < 50 or Distress Thermometer (DT) score ≥ 4 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score ≥ 5.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of severe cognitive impairment, acute psychiatric illness, or significant hearing or visual disability;
- Severe ongoing complications or comorbidities that would prevent participation in the physiotherapy program;
- Unstable immunosuppressive therapy and/or evidence of ongoing graft rejection;
- Diagnosis of active malignancy;
- Pregnancy.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: None (Open Label)
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
No Intervention: Standard of care
|
|
|
Experimental: Multidisciplinary program (acupuncture + telerehabilitation + brain health)
Participants will receive a multidisciplinary non-pharmacological intervention consisting of acupuncture, telerehabilitation-based physical rehabilitation, and psychological support. The intervention is designed to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychophysical well-being in solid organ transplant recipients at least one year after transplantation. |
A multidisciplinary non-pharmacological intervention including acupuncture, telerehabilitation-based physical rehabilitation, and psychological support aimed at improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychophysical well-being in solid organ transplant recipients. A multidisciplinary non-pharmacological intervention including acupuncture, telerehabilitation-based physical rehabilitation, and psychological support aimed at improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychophysical well-being in solid organ transplant recipients. A multidisciplinary non-pharmacological intervention including acupuncture, telerehabilitation-based physical rehabilitation, and psychological support aimed at improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychophysical well-being in solid organ transplant recipients. |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Change From Baseline to 6 Months in Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
|
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. The outcome measure is the change in score from baseline to 6 months after randomization. |
Baseline to 6 months
|
|
Change From Baseline to 6 Months in Psychological Distress Assessed by the Distress Thermometer
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
|
Psychological distress will be assessed using the Distress Thermometer. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater psychological distress. The outcome measure is the change in score from baseline to 6 months after randomization. |
Baseline to 6 months
|
|
Change From Baseline to 6 Months in Sleep Quality Assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
|
Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality. The outcome measure is the change in score from baseline to 6 months after randomization. |
Baseline to 6 months
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- IRRB/05/26
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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