Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42591090›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2026

The impact of exercise on improving sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Niezi Wang, Wei Sun, Yang Chen, Shuyuan Cong, Yixin Zhan

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Niezi WangSchool of Physical Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Wei SunSchool of Physical Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Yang ChenSchool of Physical Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Shuyuan CongSchool of Physical Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Yixin ZhanSchool of Physical Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia and frailty are common issues faced by individuals suffering from liver cirrhosis. These ailments greatly diminish life quality and increase the likelihood of death. Engaging in physical activity is a popular method to improve sarcopenia. Consequently, this systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to assess the effectiveness of exercise programs for addressing sarcopenia in those with liver cirrhosis. Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of exercise interventions on sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library, up to March 2026. Manually search for references in review articles that may meet the requirements. Two researchers independently carried out the literature search and review, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. The analysis of results includes 6-min walk distance (6MWD), thigh circumference, knee extensor strength, gait speed, thigh muscle thickness, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and handgrip strength. Statistical analyses were performed using Rev Man 5.3 and STATA 14.0. Results: This meta-analysis included 16 studies involving a total of 942 patients. The results demonstrated that exercise significantly enhanced various physical and clinical metrics in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis and sarcopenia. Notably, significant improvements were recorded in the 6MWD (MD = 54.35, 95% CI = 34.56-74.14, Conclusion: Exercise may improve selected indicators of muscle mass and physical performance in patients with cirrhosis. Exercise improves thigh muscle thickness, thigh circumference, and knee extension strength in patients with sarcopenia and cirrhosis, while also enhancing their physical activity capacity and quality of life. In terms of exercise type, both aerobic and resistance training appear to improve physical activity levels in patients with cirrhosis. However, further research is needed to confirm this. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261326379.

Indexed as

exerciseliver cirrhosismeta-analysissarcopeniasystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42591090
PMCPMC13461329

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.