ENHANCING POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY IN ELDERLY LIVER CANCER PATIENTS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION THERAPY: A CLINICAL STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF ATHLETIC HEALTH

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary nutritional therapy in enhancing postoperative recovery among elderly liver cancer patients with a focus on athlete health. Methods: This study included 80 elderly primary liver cancer patients treated from January 2020 to December 2021, divided equally into an observation group and a control group. Both groups received standard interventional therapy; however, the observation group was subjected to an enhanced nutritional intervention coordinated by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Liver function markers, nutritional status, and psychological well-being were assessed and compared between the groups. Results: Post-intervention, significant improvements were noted in liver function tests—AST, ALT, and IBIL—with the observation group showing better outcomes than the control group (P <0.05). Nutritional indicators such as serum albumin, prealbumin, and nitrogen balance also improved significantly post-intervention, with the observation group outperforming the control group (P <0.05). Additionally, psychological assessments using SPB, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores indicated a significant reduction in symptoms, with the observation group reporting lower scores than the control group, suggesting better psychological recovery (P <0.05). Conclusion: Enhanced nutritional intervention under a multidisciplinary care model significantly improves liver function, nutritional status, and psychological well-being in elderly liver cancer patients, underscoring its potential in optimizing postoperative recovery, particularly in contexts involving athletic health where recovery dynamics and nutritional needs are critical.