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Exercise and Nutrition for Healthy AgeiNg

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Sarcopenia
Interventions
Behavioral: Home-based training program
Dietary Supplement: High-quality protein supplement
Drug: Placebo protein powder
Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 fatty acid
Registration Number
NCT03649698
Lead Sponsor
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
Brief Summary

The aim of this randomized placebo-controlled 5-arm clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of combined anabolic interventions compared to single or placebo interventions on physical performance in community-dwelling (pre)sarcopenic elderly (≥ 65 years) and to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Important secondary outcome measures are muscle mass, muscle strength, compliance to the interventions (exercise program, protein and omega-3 supplementation) and functional, cognitive and nutritional status.

Detailed Description

The aim of this randomized 5-arm clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of combined anabolic interventions compared to single or placebo interventions on physical performance in community-dwelling (pre)sarcopenic elderly (≥ 65 years) living in Belgium. Physical performance will be evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Muscle mass will be measured using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and/or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Muscle strength will be measured by the Biodex (knee-extensor and knee-flexor) and a 1 hand-held dynamometer. The trial will also determine the underlying mechanisms of action using blood measures (such as markers of inflammation and sarcopenia) and muscle biomarkers. Important secondary outcome measures are compliance to the exercise program and to the protein and omega-3 supplementation, as well as functional, cognitive and nutritional status and the patients report on benefits and adverse events.

The study consists of four parts. Part I is the screening phase, which starts from the moment the participant has signed the informed consent until the start of the preparations of the study. During the screening, participants will be assessed for study eligibility by the study coordinator and contributors. If the participant is eligible, he or she will be randomly assigned into 1 of 5 intervention groups: Group 1: Exercise intervention; Group 2: Protein supplement; Group 3: Exercise intervention + protein supplement; Group 4: Exercise + Protein supplement + omega-3 supplement; Group 5: No intervention.

Part II is the preparation phase, in which the participants starts some of the interventions before the start of the study to familiarize patients with e.g. the intake of a protein supplement. All the participants will take an oral vitamin D supplement (800 IU cholecalciferol) from 4 weeks before the start of the intervention if their vitamin D level is above 20 nmol/L. Patients with a vitamin D level \< 20 nmol/L will receive repletion therapy. A trial diary will be completed by all participants to record PA, falls and intake of protein/omega3/placebo and vitamin D products. Participants in the exercise intervention (group 1, 3 and 4) will be invited to an information session where the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) will be explained and practiced. With respect to the protein supplementation, participants will receive an individually adapted protein supplement to achieve the recommended total daily intake of 1.5 g protein/kg. This will be realized by adding an individualized amount (g) of protein powder during breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack between, before or after meals, based on the subjects' food intake assessed by a food diary. The protein powder is commercially available and consists of 4.5g protein/ 5g powder. The participants in group 2, 3 and 4 will start taking the protein supplement or matched placebo 5 days before the start of the intervention. Four weeks before the start of the intervention, the participants of group 4 will start with the intake of omega-3 (1 capsule providing in total 500 mg eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and 450 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) or matched placebo. Placebo will be provided for the participants who are not given a protein and/or omega-3 supplement. Participants are blinded to the nutritional interventions.

The third part of the study, the intervention period, takes 12 weeks. During this period, there are 8 contact moments (at baseline, week 1, week 2, week 4, week 6, week 8, week 10 and week 12). All the participants continue with the vitamin D supplementation. Participants in the exercise intervention (group 1, 3 and 4) will perform the optimized and personally adapted OEP and will also follow a walking plan. The strength exercises of the OEP are personalised based on the individual's 1 repetition maximum. Balance exercises of the OEP are personalised based on improvements on MiniBESTest scores during the intervention period. The nutritional intervention groups (protein supplementation: group 2, 3 and 4 and omega-3 supplementation: group 4) continue with the protein and/or omega-3 supplements until the last visit of the intervention period.

Part IV is the follow-up period, after the intervention. This phase takes 12 weeks and exists of 2 telephone contacts and 2 contact moments. All the participants continue the vitamin D supplementation until the last visit of the follow-up. The exercise intervention group (group 1, 3 and 4) may continue the OEP, but no personal encouragement will be given during this period. No protein and/ or omega-3 supplements will be given during the follow-up.

Several outcomes will be measured during the contact moments of the intervention period and follow-up period (part III and part IV). This will be done by questionnaires about nutritional status, fall history and use of health care (from baseline until end of follow-up), and evaluation of functional and cognitive status. Blood, urine and muscle samples will be taken. The physical activity will be measured by wearing a movement tracker. All participants will wear a movement tracker 5 days before the intervention period and during the first two weeks of the intervention period and last two weeks of the intervention period, and during the last 2 weeks of the follow-up period. Participants who receive an exercise intervention (group 1, 3 and 4) will be encouraged to wear the movement tracker during the complete intervention period. The participants will complete a four-day food diary throughout the trial at week 1, week 6, week 12 and week 24. The participants will be asked for compliance during the preparation period and intervention period and their fall history which can be monitored by using diaries during the intervention period and the follow-up period.

Addendum 27-07-2021: starting from 01-2021 a substudy was initiated in which participants of ENHANce, who agreed for participation in this substudy, collect stool samples at baseline, week 4, week 8 and week 12 of the intervention. This will allow to observe possible changes in gut microbiota composition and intestinal inflammation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
180
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Male or female persons with (pre)sarcopenia according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP): reduced muscle mass without (presarcopenia) or with (sarcopenia) reduced walking speed (≤ 0.8m/s) or muscle strength OR probable, confirmed or severe sarcopenia according to EWGSOP 2.

  2. 65 years or older;

  3. Community-dwelling elderly or assisted living;

  4. In case of one or more positive answer(s) on the health screen for exercise, subjects need approval of their general practitioner to participate in this randomized controlled trial (RCT).

    • Uncontrolled or unstable health problems
    • Uncontrolled pain or feeling unwell the day of the exercise
    • Recently diagnosed cardiovascular events
    • systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 100 mmHg
    • Resting tachycardia > 100 bpm
    • Uncontrolled atrial or ventricular arrhythmias
    • Unstable or acute heart failure
    • Lasting, increased pain following a previous session
    • Suspected acute injury
    • Recent injurious fall without medical assessment
    • Severe breathlessness or dizziness
    • Uncontrolled pulmonary problems
    • Rheumatoid arthritis flare up or acute systemic illness/infection
    • Unexplained lethargy
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Impairments/diseases that impose problems to participation in the study;
  2. Allergy to milk or soy or peanut;
  3. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) < 21;
  4. Terminal illness (prognosis < 6 months);
  5. Persons who followed a physical training program in the last 6 months (twice or more/week);
  6. Persons with a daily intake of > 1.5 g protein/kg body weight (BW)/day;
  7. Diagnosis of severe kidney disease (GFR < 30 ml/min) or diabetes mellitus;
  8. Unable to communicate in Dutch, English or French.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Home-based training programHome-based training programHome-based training program + protein placebo + omega-3 placebo
Home-based training programPlacebo protein powderHome-based training program + protein placebo + omega-3 placebo
High-quality protein supplementHigh-quality protein supplementHigh-quality protein supplement + omega-3 placebo
2 Anabolic interventionsHome-based training programHome-based training program and high quality protein supplement
Placebo protein powder and omega-3Placebo omega-3Control group: protein placebo + omega-3 placebo
2 Anabolic interventionsHigh-quality protein supplementHome-based training program and high quality protein supplement
3 Anabolic interventionsHome-based training programHome-based training program, high-quality protein supplement and omega-3 fatty acids
3 Anabolic interventionsHigh-quality protein supplementHome-based training program, high-quality protein supplement and omega-3 fatty acids
3 Anabolic interventionsOmega-3 fatty acidHome-based training program, high-quality protein supplement and omega-3 fatty acids
Placebo protein powder and omega-3Placebo protein powderControl group: protein placebo + omega-3 placebo
2 Anabolic interventionsPlacebo omega-3Home-based training program and high quality protein supplement
Home-based training programPlacebo omega-3Home-based training program + protein placebo + omega-3 placebo
High-quality protein supplementPlacebo omega-3High-quality protein supplement + omega-3 placebo
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in physical functioningMeasured at baseline, week 12 and week 24.

Change in SPPB score

Percentage of participants with change in physical functioningMeasured at baseline, week 12 and week 24.

the percentage of participants with more than 1 or 1 point increase in SPPB score.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in muscle mass (after intervention-baseline)Measured at screening, week 12 and week 24 with DXA or when screening is 6 weeks prior to baseline, DXA will also be performed at baseline. At screening, baseline, week 12 and week 24 with BIA.

Appendicular lean mass will be measured with a whole-body DXA scan and by BIA.

Change in muscle strength (after intervention-baseline)Hand grip measured at screening, baseline, week 12 and week 24. Biodex measured at baseline, week 12 and week 24.

Muscle strength of the knee-extensor, knee-flexor and hip abductors will be measured by Biodex and hand grip strength with dynamometer.

Compliance to the exercise intervention, subjectivebaseline until week 12

Compliance to the Otago program will be assessed by measure of:

- The number of Otago sessions the participant performed divided by the number of Otago sessions the participants needed to perform. Likewise, this will be calculated for the walking program and for the integral exercise intervention.

Compliance to the exercise intervention, objectivebaseline until week 12

Compliance to the Otago program will be assessed by measure of:

- Monitor and diary: Length of exercise session (time). Pattern recognition of exercise groups by algorithm development

Compliance to the exercise intervention, subjective, detailedbaseline until week 12

Compliance to the Otago program will be assessed by measure of:

- Diary: the reported intensity of the strength exercises

Compliance to the protein supplementation, objectiveUrine samples at baseline, week 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24.

Compliance to protein supplementation:

- The number of nutritional intakes the participant did divided by the number of intakes of nutritional supplement the participant was prescribed.

Compliance to the protein supplementation, subjectiveUrine samples at baseline, week 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24.

Compliance to protein supplementation:

- Count and weight returned powder boxes

Compliance to the omega-3 supplementation, subjectivebaseline, week 12 and week 24.

Compliance to omega-3 supplement

- Count returned capsules and placebo tablets

Compliance to the omega-3 supplementation, objectivebaseline, week 12 and week 24.

Compliance to omega-3 supplement

- Compliance to the omega- 3 supplement is assessed by counting the number of capsules during each study visit and by analysis of red blood cell (RBC) membrane fatty acid profile

Functional status: activities of daily livingbaseline, week 12 and 24

Change in activity of daily living (ADL) :Barthel-index

Change in ureabaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in urea

Change in indoxyl sulfatebaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in indoxyl sulfate

Change in composition of gut microbiotabaseline, week 4, week 8, week 12

Change in composition of gut microbiota

Change in glucosebaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in glucose

Compliance to the protein supplementation objectiveUrine samples at baseline, week 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24.

Compliance to protein supplementation:

- N content in 8 24h urine samples by the Dumas method (28) to estimate rise in protein intake and Creatinine index to estimate the completion of the urine samples (29, 30)

Functional status: balancebaseline, week 12 and 24

Change in balance (Mini-BESTest)

Functional status: change in physical activitybaseline, week 12 and 24

Change in PA by the MoveMonitor+ (MM+) (method under development in our research group)

Functional status: health-related quality of lifebaseline, week 12 and 24

- Change in health-related quality of life, according to Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire

Functional status: fallsbaseline, week 12 and 24

- Number of falls and the circumstances, identified using weekly fall calendars + Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I)

Cognitive status: immediate and delayed memory, attention, language and visuospatial skillsbaseline, week 12 and 24

- The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS): immediate and delayed memory, attention, language and visuospatial skills;

Cognitive status: inhibitionbaseline, week 12 and 24

Stroop test (inhibition)

Cognitive statusbaseline, week 12 and 24

- Maze test

Nutritional status: malnutritionat baseline (preparation for food diary), week 6, week 12 and week 24

- Changes in numbers of participants with malnutrition, according to Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

Change in creatininebaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in creatinine

Change in insulinbaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in insulin

Change in 25-hydroxy-vitamin Dbaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in 25-hydroxy-vitamin D

Change in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)baseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in TNF-alpha

Change in myostatinbaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in myostatin

Change in markers of muscle wastingbaseline, week 12

Change in markers of muscle wasting (MURF1, Atrogin1, FOXO3)

Change in markers of intestinal inflammationbaseline, week 4, week 8, week 12

Change in markers of intestinal inflammation (fecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, S100A12)

Functional status: frailtybaseline, week 12 and 24

- Change in physical frailty stage defined by Fried et al (frail (3-5/5), prefrail (1-2/5), robust (0/5))

Change in serum albuminbaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in serum albumin

Change in cholesterol (HDL, LDL, total, Triglycerides)baseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in cholesterol (HDL, LDL, total, Triglycerides)

Change in insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)baseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in IGF-1

Change in creatinine kinasebaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in creatinine kinase

Nutritional status: nutrient intakeat baseline (preparation for food diary), week 6, week 12 and week 24

- Changes in nutrient intake, according to the four day food diary.

Patient reported benefits and adverse effectsweek 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 22, 24.

Benefits and adverse effects are asked. Participants will describe their thoughts about the study, what they like and don't like.

Change in C reactive protein (CRP)baseline, week 1, 4, 12 and 24

change in hs-CRP

Change in hemoglobinbaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in hemoglobin

Change in interleukin 6 (IL-6)baseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in IL-6

Change in IL-1bbaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in IL-1b

Change in activin Abaseline, week 12 and week 24

Change in activin A

Change in markers of muscle regenerationbaseline, week 12

Change in markers of muscle regeneration (PAX7, Myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), myoblast determination protein (MyoD), Ki67, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMPK)

Change in muscle histologybaseline, week 12

Change in muscle histology

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven

🇧🇪

Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium

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