Vigorous- Versus Moderate-intensity Exercise to Reduce Liver Fat in Adults With Obesity and NAFLD

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · Nov 3, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating the effects of different exercise intensities on reducing liver fat in adults with obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Researchers want to find out if vigorous exercise for a shorter time can provide similar benefits as longer, moderate-intensity exercise. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: one will do brisk walking for 25 minutes three times a week, another will walk at a moderate pace for 50 minutes three times a week, and the last group will receive standard health education without an exercise program.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be Chinese-speaking adults aged 18 to 69 who are centrally obese (with a specific waist size and body mass index) and diagnosed with NAFLD. The trial aims to assess various health outcomes over 16 weeks and follow up 26 weeks later. Participants can expect to take part in supervised exercise sessions, and the study will carefully monitor their liver fat, body fat, and overall health. This research could help shape future exercise guidelines for people with NAFLD, making it easier for patients to choose a suitable exercise plan.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Cantonese, Mandarin, or English-speaking Chinese,
• • aged 18-69,
• • centrally obese according to the Asia-specific cut-off (waist circumference 90 cm for males, 80 cm for females) and BMI ≥23 (i.e., overweight as defined by the Hong Kong government),
• • with NAFLD (defined as \>5% intrahepatic triglycerides assessed by 1H-MR spectroscopy),
• • able to perform the prescribed exercise program. Both men and women will be included to enhance generalizability.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • regular exercise training (\>3 sessions of \>60 min of moderate-intensity exercise training weekly) in the past 6 months,
• • medical history of cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary or kidney disease, heart failure, cancer, and/or liver disease except NAFLD,
• • somatic conditions that limit exercise participation (e.g., limb loss),
• • impaired mobility due to chronic disease (e.g., chronic arthritis/osteoarthritis, neurological, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune diseases),
• • daily smoking habit,
• • excess alcohol consumption (daily ≥20 g of alcohol for men and ≥10 g for women) in the past 1 year,
• • consumption of certain drugs (e.g., tamoxifen and estrogen) known to be secondary causes of steatosis,
• • surgery and therapy for morbid obesity in the past 6 months and during the study period (e.g., gastric bypass, gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric reduction duodenal switch, or dietitian-prescribed dietary program).