185 Outcomes from a nutrition and exercise group targeting sarcopenia in older adults attending an integrated care for older persons hub

Abstract

Abstract Background Sarcopenia refers to the generalised loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function. It is closely related to physical frailty, and is a common contributor to the presentation of older adults to integrated care teams. Research has shown that resistance exercises combined with adequate dietary protein intake can reverse sarcopenia. Methods Screening for probable sarcopenia using handgrip strength was introduced as part of the routine comprehensive geriatric assessment. Suitable candidates meeting the inclusion criteria were offered an 8-week program, led by a physiotherapist and a dietitian, incorporating a home-based resistance exercise and nutrition intervention. Measures of strength (using handgrip), muscle mass (using BIA [bioelectrical impedance analysis]) and physical performance (using ‘Timed Up & Go’ [TUG], and gait speed) were taken pre and post intervention. Results 10 participants (2 female, 8 male) completed the program. Following the 8 week intervention, changes were observed in measures of grip strength (median 1.5 kg, P = 0.04), and in physical performance using gait speed (median − 0.355 seconds, P value = 0.8). This was not seen when using TUG to measure physical performance (median + 0.02 seconds). Issues measuring muscle mass in routine clinical practice using BIA were encountered making analysis non uniform within the group. Frailty scores using the fried frailty scale were taken for 6 out of 10 participants in which the median change was −1 on the Fried scale (p = 0.025). Conclusion Participation in this self-directed nutrition and exercise program over an 8 week period was associated with improvements in measures of muscle strength, physical performance (to a lesser extent), and frailty scores. Future work will aim to explore the feasibility of a longer duration of intervention, and to examine whether this results in a greater treatment effect.