The goal of this clinical randomized trial is to test whether an integrated care involving peripheral functional magnetic stimulation and nutritional supplement is beneficial in population with age-related sarcopenia, as compared to usual care.
We will recruit participants with sarcopenia or possible sarcopenia. The participants will be divided into 2 groups. One group, the "integrated care" group, will receive both the peripheral functional magnetic stimulation to both the upper and lower limbs and nutritional supplement for consecutive 8 weeks. The other group, the "usual care" group, will receive an educational digital versatile disc (DVD) and a handbook for exercise suggestions on sarcopenia. We will compare before and after the intervention about the body composition, handgrip strength, 5-time chair stand test, 6-meter walk, and blood test for C-reactive protein and other cytokines related to sarcopenia. The participant's nutritional condition, activity level, life quality will also be analyzed via questionnaires before and after the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
The peripheral functional magnetic stimulation will be conducted 30 minutes a session, 2 sessions per week, for consecutive 8 weeks. The stimulation will be placed over bilateral forearm flexor muscles and bilateral thighs over rectus femoris muscles.
The nutritional supplementation includes 7 cans of "ENSURE HIGH CALCIUM" per week for 8 consecutive weeks.
The education includes a DVD and one session of oral instructions on general care and exercise suggestions for sarcopenia.
National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch
Taipei, Taiwan
Body composition
We use dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to evaluate the muscle mass (kg/m2) in the subjects.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
Handgrip strength
We use a dynamometer to measure the handgrip strength (kg)
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
5-time chair stand test
We measure the time of a subject to transfer from a seated to a standing position and back to sitting five times.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
6-meter walk
We measure the time of a subject to walk with the usual speed straightly for 6 meters.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
Leg circumference
We measure the largest calf circumference with seated position with knee flexed in 90 degrees.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
Cytokines related to sarcopenia
We will check the concentrations of cytokines including the c-reactive protein from our subjects.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
Nutritional status
We use the questionnaire Mini Nutritional Assessment to evaluate the subjects' nutritional status.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
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Activity level
We use the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to evaluate the subjects' activity levels.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention
Life quality
We use the EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and Taiwan Short Form-36 questionnaires to evaluate the subjects' health life quality.
Time frame: Before the intervention, and 1-2 weeks after the 8-week intervention