Effects of polyphenol supplementation on functional ability, cognitive function and quality of life of aged wome
- Conditions
- AgeingOther - Research that is not of generic health relevance and not applicable to specific health categories listed above
- Registration Number
- ACTRN12623000282684
- Lead Sponsor
- Eleftherios Dimitros
- Brief Summary
oss of functional capacity negatively impacts the quality of life in older adults. We examined whether short- (one week) and long-term (three months) blackcurrant supplementation combined with habitual physical activity would improve functional capacity and quality of life in previously sedentary older women. Thirty sedentary, healthy older women were randomly assigned to receive blackcurrant supplementation (400 mg of blackcurrant extract) (Polyphenol group, n=15; 74.2±10.0 years) or no supplementation (capsules of 400 mg of corn flour) (Placebo group, n=15; 72.8±8.7 years). Each group consumed two capsules daily for one week and three months, with a washout period of one week between the two phases. The Polyphenol group was required to increase habitual activity levels. Participants underwent a functional capacity assessment consisting of a Six-Minute Walk, Sit-to-Stand test, Berg Balance Scale measurement and quality of life evaluation with the Scale of Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) at the start, after one week and after three months of supplementation. Walking distance and time to sit to stand improved by 2.5% and 7.5%, respectively, after one week in the Polyphenol group. After 3 months, the walking distance in the six-minute walk test increased by 12.3%, while the time to sit-to-stand test decreased by 16% in Polyphenol compared to Placebo. No differences in Berg Balance Scale were observed. Quality of life, indexed by LSI, improved by 39% in the Polyphenol compared to the Placebo group. Blackcurrant supplementation and habitual activity can improve older women's functional capacity and quality of life.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Completed
- Sex
- Female
- Target Recruitment
- 30
The participants had to be in a healthy, stable condition for at least three months before entering the study. The participants were also instructed to remain on a stable diet and habitual physical activity levels during the study. None of the patients had participated in any form of regular exercise during the past year. They were also asked to refrain from any other form of recreational activity during the study period.
The following exclusion criteria from the study were employed: known cardiovascular disease, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and severe neurological or orthopedic problems that would hinder the patient''s participation in the study.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Physical function was assessed with the 6-minute walking test.[Six minutes walk test: Baseline, after 7 days and 3 months after commencement of the intervention.];Physical function was assessed with the sit-to-stand test.[sit-to-stand test: Baseline, after 7 days and 3 months after commencement of the intervention.];Physical function was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).[Berg Balance Scale: Baseline, after 7 days and 3 months after commencement of the intervention.]
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Habitual physical activity levels were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE).[IPAQ and PASE: after 7 days and 3 months after commencement of the intervention.];Quality of life was assessed with the Life Satisfaction Inventory.[Life Satisfaction Inventory, Mini-Mental state examination and FACIT: Baseline and after the three months of the intervention.];Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)[Mini-Mental State Examination: Baseline and after the three months of the intervention.];The level of fatigue was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) -Fatigue Scale.[Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) -Fatigue Scale: Baseline and after the three months of the intervention.]