Abstract
In an aging society, preventing dysfunction and restoring function of the locomotive organs are necessary for long-term quality of life. Few interventional studies have investigated supplementation for locomotive syndrome. Additionally, very few interventional clinical studies on locomotive syndrome have been performed as placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind studies. We previously found that the administration of 30% ethanolic extract of Cistanche tubulosa improved walking ability in a cast-immobilized skeletal muscle atrophy mouse model. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study to evaluate the effects of C. tubulosa (CT) extract on the locomotive syndrome. Twenty-six subjects with pre-symptomatic or mild locomotive syndrome completed all tests and were analyzed in the study. Analyses of muscle mass and physical activity were performed based on the full analysis set. Intake of CT extract for 12 weeks increased step width (two-step test) and gait speed (5 m walking test) in patients over 60 years old compared with those in a placebo control (p = 0.046). In contrast, the skeletal muscle mass of the body trunk and limbs was unchanged following administration of CT extract. Adverse effects were evaluated by blood tests; no obvious adverse events were observed following the intake of CT extract. In conclusion, this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study demonstrated that treatment with CT extract significantly prevented a decline in walking ability without any notable adverse effects in patients with locomotive syndrome.
Highlights
In an aging society, preventing dysfunction and restoring function of the locomotive organs are necessary for long-term quality of life
Locomotive syndrome was first described by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) in 2007, and it encompasses a wider range of disabilities than musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptoms [1]
The interventions were evaluated in the subjects with pre-symptomatic or mild locomotive syndrome
Summary
In an aging society, preventing dysfunction and restoring function of the locomotive organs are necessary for long-term quality of life. The locomotive system includes muscles, joints, cartilage, and bones that gradually weaken with age or due to other diseases. Factors, such as lack of exercise, a sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate nutrition, contribute to the progression of locomotive syndrome. Most interventional studies on the locomotive syndrome have been performed to evaluate the beneficial effects of exercise. Few interventional studies have investigated supplementation for locomotive syndrome; vitamin D supplementation for 24 weeks significantly improved the strength of knee extension and hip flexion compared with pre-treatment levels [4]. A few interventional clinical trials on locomotive syndrome have been performed as placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind studies [5]
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