Abstract
BackgroundTo evaluate the acceptability of handgrip strength, gait speed, quadriceps ultrasound, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to older adults conducted during and following hospitalisation.MethodsQuestionnaire-based study conducted upon completion of prospective cohort study, with follow-up in either Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), UK, or participant’s own home following recent admission to QEHB. Outcome measures were acceptability as defined by total multi-domain score for each test (maximum score 35), and by frailty status.ResultsForty adults aged 70 years and older admitted for emergency abdominal surgery, elective colorectal surgery, or acute bacterial infections (general medicine) participated. Handgrip strength (median 33, IQR 30–35; p = 0.001), gait speed (median 32, IQR 30–35; p = 0.002), ultrasound quadriceps (median 33, IQR 31–35; p = 0.001), and BIA (median 33.5, IQR 31–35; p = 0.001) were considered highly acceptable. Participants responded positively that they enjoyed participating in these tests, and considered these tests of importance. There was no difference in scores between tests (p = 0.166). Individual total test scores did not differ between patients with and without frailty. Qualitative data are also presented on drivers for research participation.ConclusionsHandgrip strength, gait speed, ultrasound quadriceps, and BIA are acceptable tests to older adults during and following hospitalisation. Our results may serve as standards when evaluating acceptability of other tests.Trial registrationProspectively registered February 2019: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03858192
Highlights
To evaluate the acceptability of handgrip strength, gait speed, quadriceps ultrasound, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to older adults conducted during and following hospitalisation
Acute sarcopenia refers to acute decline in muscle quantity/quality and/or function leading to incident sarcopenia within six months, normally following a stressor event [2, 3]
For ultrasound and BIA; participants agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed participating in these tests
Summary
To evaluate the acceptability of handgrip strength, gait speed, quadriceps ultrasound, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to older adults conducted during and following hospitalisation. Acceptability is a complex construct, but it is acknowledged that this can affect patient adherence both in clinical practice and research. Sarcopenia is an area of increasing research and clinical interest It is defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia 2 (EWGSOP2) as reduced skeletal muscle strength with reduced muscle quantity/quality; additional demonstration of low physical performance defines severe sarcopenia [2]. EWGSOP2 recommends measurement of handgrip strength for muscle strength, and either Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) or Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) for evaluation of muscle quantity in clinical environments [2]. The acceptability of these measures to patients or research participants has not been previously evaluated
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