Egg Protein Supplementation for Maintaining Muscle Mass and Function in Older Adults
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 54
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Short physical performance battery (SPPB)
Study Overview
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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
Participants will be blinded to control (carbohydrate) or egg white protein supplement
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 60 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
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.
Arms & Interventions
Egg while protein supplement
25 g of powdered egg white protein supplement daily for 6 months. Total of 20.6 g of protein in 25 g of supplement.
Intervention: powdered egg white protein supplement (Dietary Supplement)
Maltodextrin supplement
25 g of powdered maltodextrin supplement daily for 6 months. Total 23.5 g of carbohydrate in 25 g of supplement.
Intervention: maltodextrin supplement (Dietary Supplement)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Short physical performance battery (SPPB)
Time Frame: 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 mass
Time Frame: Change from Baseline Muscle Mass at 6 months
Dual-energy X-ray absorptimetry
Muscle Strength
Time Frame: Change from Baseline Muscle Strength at 6 months
Hand Dynamometer
Secondary Outcomes
- Protein intake(Change from Baseline Protein Intake at 6 months)
- Upper Respiratory Illnesses Frequency(Change From Baseline Upper Respiratory Illness Frequency at 6 months)
- Cognitive Function(Change from Baseline Cognitive Function at 6 months)
- Functional Limitations and Disability(Change From Baseline Functional Limitations and Disability at 6 months)
- Health-Related Quality of Life(Change from Baseline Health-Related Quality of Life at 6 months)
- Falls Risk(Change From Baseline Falls Efficacy and Frequency at 6 months)
Investigators
Sarah Ullevig
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at San Antonio