MedPath

Supplemental Egg Protein Intervention in Older Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Sarcopenia
Aging
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: maltodextrin supplement
Dietary Supplement: powdered egg white protein supplement
Registration Number
NCT03530774
Lead Sponsor
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Brief Summary

Older adults are at risk for developing sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, which increased the risk of disabilities, falls, and loss of independence. Many older adults do not consume enough protein each day to maintain their muscle mass and this study aims to investigate if consumption daily egg white protein supplement can help maintain muscle mass and functionality in community-dwelling older adults. Food insecure older adults that attend congregate nutrition sites will be targeted.

Detailed Description

The study aims to evaluate the impact of egg white protein supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and physical function in older adults with low muscle mass or function. Older adults will be recruited from San Antonio, Texas, the least food secure metropolitan area for older adults. The project will be conducted entirely at community locations such as congregate meal sites, senior activity centers, and housing communities. Researchers will conduct recruitment, distribution of supplements and pre and post assessments entirely at these sites, which will alleviate the travel of participants to research sites and provide a unique opportunity to assess this underserved population. One hundred older adults (≥60yrs old) will be randomly assigned to consume a daily supplement of egg white protein or isoenergetic carbohydrate for 6 months. Changes in skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function will be assessed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
54
Inclusion Criteria
  • 60 years or older, gait speed >0.8m/s OR hand grip below 20kg for women or below 30kg for men
Exclusion Criteria
  • Over 300 pounds, kidney disease, has taken a protein supplement within the past 30 days, dementia/Alzheimer's, uncontrolled diabetes, wheelchair bound, vegan, allergic to eggs, blind/legally blind, history of stroke/transient ischemic attack with a Barthel score of 15 or lower, cannot read or write English or Spanish and don't have someone to help them with forms/paperwork, not willing to take a supplement for 6 months or will not remain in the local area for the study period.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Maltodextrin supplementmaltodextrin supplement25 g of powdered maltodextrin supplement daily for 6 months. Total 23.5 g of carbohydrate in 25 g of supplement.
Egg while protein supplementpowdered egg white protein supplement25 g of powdered egg white protein supplement daily for 6 months. Total of 20.6 g of protein in 25 g of supplement.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Short physical performance battery (SPPB)Change from Baseline Physical Function at 6 months

Includes objective, performance-based measures of balance (standing side by side, semi-tandem and tandem), mobility (4-m habitual gait speed), and strength (5 chair stands). Each task is scored from 0-4 Points (p) and then summed into a total score of 0 (worst)-12 (best) p, where 12 p represents the highest performance.

Muscle massChange from Baseline Muscle Mass at 6 months

Dual-energy X-ray absorptimetry

Muscle StrengthChange from Baseline Muscle Strength at 6 months

Hand Dynamometer

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Protein intakeChange from Baseline Protein Intake at 6 months

24-hour recalls (2 non-consecutive)

Upper Respiratory Illnesses FrequencyChange From Baseline Upper Respiratory Illness Frequency at 6 months

Daily illness log

Cognitive FunctionChange from Baseline Cognitive Function at 6 months

Trail Making Test A and B

Functional Limitations and DisabilityChange From Baseline Functional Limitations and Disability at 6 months

The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument is a validated questionnaire that measures both functional limitations and disability. The function component evaluates self-reported difficulty in performing 32 physical activities. Scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher levels of function. Disability component evaluates self-reported limitations and frequency of limitations in 16 activities. Scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher levels of function.

Health-Related Quality of LifeChange from Baseline Health-Related Quality of Life at 6 months

Short Form 12 Health Survey

Falls RiskChange From Baseline Falls Efficacy and Frequency at 6 months

A short questionnaire will be used to gather information on number of falls recalled over the past 6 months, whether the individual sought medical attention for any of the falls, and whether an injury resulted from any of the falls. The Falls Efficacy Scale is a 10 item scale assessing the confidence level individuals have in performing daily activities without falling. Each item is rated on a scale of 0-10, with 0 signifying no confidence and 10 indicating very confident. Scores are totaled and range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating greater confidence

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Texas at San Antonio

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

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