Mobile health exercise program for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Feasibility, Safety and Acceptability of a Mobile Health Delivered Exercise Training Program in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Not applicable Interventional Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · NCT06195943

This study is testing a mobile exercise program to see if it can help people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) stay active and improve their health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT06195943 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of the Exercise and Liver FITness (EL-FIT) program, a mobile health exercise training initiative designed for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Participants will engage in an exercise intervention facilitated through the EL-FIT app, which has previously been validated in patients with cirrhosis. The study aims to determine how well this program can be integrated into the lives of patients with NASH and assess its overall safety and acceptability. By focusing on a mobile health approach, the study seeks to enhance patient engagement and adherence to exercise regimens.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and access to a smartphone.

Not a fit: Patients with active cardiac symptoms, recent participation in exercise programs, or those with cirrhosis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could improve liver health and overall fitness in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel for NASH, similar mobile health interventions have shown promise in other patient populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults age \>18 years
* Evidence of NASH indicated by at least one of the following

  * Liver biopsy with evidence of steatohepatitis (NAS \>=4) within 6 months of the screening interval or;
  * Historical Imaging study (e.g., ultrasound, CT, MRI) with hepatic steatosis and one of the following non-invasive tests within 6 months of the screening interval: i. FIB-4 \>= 1.3 or; ii. NFS \>= -1.44 or; iii. ELF \>= 7.7 or; iv. VCTE kPa \>=8 or; v. ARFI \>=1.3 or; vi. FAST \>= 0.35 or; vii. MRE kPa \>=2.55 or; viii. MAST \> 0.165 or;
* Possession of a smartphone

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active cardiac symptoms precluding participation in vigorous exercise
* Active or recent participation in exercise training program within the last 90 days
* Active or recent weight-loss supplement use within the last 90 days (does not include GLP-1 receptor agonist use)
* Active illicit substance use
* Cancer that is active
* Cirrhosis
* Exercise identified to be unsafe by study PI or EL-FIT mHealth program
* Inability to provide informed consent
* Inability to walk \> 2 blocks
* Institutionalized/prisoner
* Other chronic liver disease (e.g., viral hepatitis)

Where this trial is running

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions NASH - Nonalcoholic SteatohepatitisNASHExerciseLiver
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.