The sarcopenia and physical frailty in older people: multi-component treatment strategies (SPRINTT) project: description and feasibility of a nutrition intervention in community-dwelling older Europeans

Satu Jyväkorpi ,V Sánchez Cadenas,K Pavelková,T Vágnerová,S Ambrosi,Clarie A P M Weling-Scheepers ,Emanuele Marzetti ,Pálmi V Jónsson ,Annemarie Perl ,Ellen Freiberger ,Martina Klimkova ,L Tirrel,Hanna M Rempe ,Annele Urtamo ,Gaëlle Soriano ,Sara Tagliaferri ,Annarita Costantini ,Alfons Ramel ,Carlos Sánchez-Puelles ,A Larreur,Kaisu H Pitkälä ,Ewa Błaszczyk-Bębenek ,Giulia Savera ,C Picauron,Ólöf Guðný Geirsdóttir ,Hannareeta Öhman ,Maxime Billot ,Timo Strandberg ,Karolina Piotrowicz ,Francesco Landi ,Riccardo Calvani

doi:10.1007/s41999-020-00438-4

Abstract

AimTo describe the methods and feasibility of the nutritional intervention carried out within the SPRINTT Randomized cotrolled trial. We also illustrate how nutrition interventionists identified participants at risk of malnutrition and the lessons learnt from the nutrition intervention.FindingsSPRINTT nutrition intervention was well-received by the majority of the participants. It was mainly carried out using tailored nutrition counselling, but also other means of delivering the intervention were successfully used. Compared with a standard nutrition prescription, an individualized protocol to diagnose malnutrition and follow-up by tailored nutrition counselling helped achieve nutritional targets more effectively in spite of diversity of population in nutritional habits and in some cases reluctance to accept changes.MessageThe SPRINTT nutrition intervention was feasible and allowed flexibility to the varying needs and cultural differences of this heterogeneous population of frail, older Europeans. It may serve as a model to educate and improve nutrition among community-dwelling older people at risk of mobility limitations.

Highlights

Ageing is associated with decreased physical activity, decline in lean body mass and loss of appetite, which concur to reducing physical function and performance leading to various negative health outcomes [1, 2]
All of the SPRINTT nutrition interventionists responded to the survey
Many of the nutrition interventionists mentioned that intervention had to be individualized and practical, started before malnutrition occurs, and potential memory problems taken into account

Summary

Methods

Ageing is associated with decreased physical activity, decline in lean body mass and loss of appetite, which concur to reducing physical function and performance leading to various negative health outcomes [1, 2]. Sarcopenia is closely related to frailty and is characterized by low muscle strength, low muscle mass and poor muscle quality as well as reduced physical performance [4, 7]. Both sarcopenia and frailty increase the risk of falls, mobility limitations, disability, institutionalization, and mortality [4, 6]. Short-term interventions combining nutrition with exercise have proven to be effective in improving physical function, performance and lean mass in older people [13–16]. We describe the methods and feasibility of the nutritional intervention carried out within the SPRINTT RCT. Secondary outcomes were changes in muscle mass, physical performance, falls, nutritional status, mood, cognition, use on health services, quality of life, cost effectiveness of the study, and mortality. D, iron Functional status General health status Diseases or clinical conditions affecting diet

Results

Discussion

Compliance with ethical standards

PRISMATICS