MedPath

Protein Supplement and Exercise Training for the Treatment of Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Sarcopenia
Registration Number
NCT05688956
Lead Sponsor
University College Dublin
Brief Summary

To explore the effectiveness of a 12-week resistance exercise programme plus or minus an oral nutritional supplement on the nutritional status of community-dwelling older adults who receive home care and are at risk of sarcopenia.

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of consuming a whey-based protein ONS enriched with leucine and vitamin D, in conjunction with an online resistance-based exercise programme, versus the effectiveness of an online exercise programme alone, for twelve weeks, in a cohort of older adults who are at risk of sarcopenia and who require supportive home care.

The primary outcome will be functional and nutritional status measured using the Timed get Up and Go (TUG) test and the full form of the mini-nutritional assessment (MNA-FF). The secondary outcomes include feasibility of implementation, defined by recruitment, retention and adherence rates, measures of body composition, muscle strength and quality of life.

The groups will be as follows: (i) whey protein ONS enriched with leucine and vitamin D plus an online exercise programme or (ii) an online exercise programme alone.

The exercise programme will be comprised of two sessions per week for 12-weeks and will be delivered using the UCD Zoom platform. The exercise programme will include strength movements that are intended to build muscle mass and improve physical function. The exercise programme will involve four phases split over the 12-week intervention: phase 1 (2 weeks), phase 2 (3 weeks), phase 3 (3 weeks) and phase 4 (4 weeks).

The ONS is a high protein, leucine and vitamin D enriched drink. Participants randomised to the ONS group will be asked to consume the drink twice a day for 12 weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Older adults (70+ years)
  • Requiring supportive homecare
  • At risk of sarcopenia
Exclusion Criteria
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Severe kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min)
  • Moderate to severe liver disease (Child-Pugh class B or C)
  • Psychiatric disorder
  • Receiving treatment or palliative care for cancer
  • Receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition
  • Hypersensitivity to any component of ONS
  • Taking ONS
  • Allergic to dairy products
  • Regularly undertaking resistance (strength) training
  • Advised by GP not to undertake physical activity

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline functional status at 12 weeks12 weeks

Timed Get Up \& Go test will be used to assess physical performance as advised by the EWGSOP2 to test for sarcopenia.

Change from baseline nutritional status at 12 weeks12 weeks

The nutritional status of participants will be assessed using the full form of the mini-nutritional assessment-full form (MNA-FF). 24 - 30 points indicates normal nutrition status; 17 to 23.5 points indicates at risk of malnutrition \& less than 17 points indicates malnutrition.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Adherence12 weeks

Attendance at the resistance exercise classes + consumption of the protein supplement

Five Times Sit-To-Stand testValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

Five Times Sit-To-Stand test will be used to assess lower extremity strength

4 m Gait Speed testValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

4 m Gait Speed test will be used to assess physical performance as advised by the EWGSOP2 to test for sarcopenia

Change in self-reported quality of lifeValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

The Health Related Quality of Life 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12v2) will be used to assess participants quality of life. Score ranges from 0 - 100, higher score indicates higher quality of life.

Change in risk of depressionValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

The Geriatric Depression Score-15 item questionnaire will be used to screen for risk of depression in the participants. Score of 0-5 is normal \& score greater than 5 suggests risk of depression.

Change in functional statusValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living will be used to assess functional status. Score of 6 indicates full function, 4 indicates moderate impairment, and 2 or less indicates severe functional impairment.

Change in baseline nutritional status at week 2424 weeks

The nutritional status of participants will assessed using the full form of the mini-nutritional assessment-full form (MNA-FF). 24 - 30 points indicates normal nutrition status, 17 to 23.5 points indicates at risk of malnutrition \& less than 17 points indicates malnutrition.

Change from baseline functional status at 24 weeks24 weeks

Timed Get Up \& Go test will be used to assess physical performance as advised by the EWGSOP2 to test for sarcopenia.

RetentionUp to 24 weeks

The number of participants retained at the end of the study

RecruitmentUp to 24 weeks

The number of participants recruited divided by the number of eligible participants.

Muscle strengthValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

Handgrip strength will be used to assess upper-body strength

Muscle massValues at baseline will be compared to values recorded at 12 and at 24 weeks

Muscle mass will be assessed using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science

🇮🇪

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
🇮🇪Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Catherine M Fallon, BSc
Contact
0867240910
catherine.fallon@ucdconnect.ie
Clare Corish, PhD
Contact
clare.corish@ucd.ie

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.