Exploration on the Relationship Between Distinct Sarcopenia, Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution, and Circadian Rhythm Patterns of Older Adults and Impact of Acupoint-stimulated Interventions

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and impact of digital/remote courses combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupoint-stimulated interventions, health education, and exercise on sarcopenia and sleep disturbances across distinct age groups. By integrating multidisciplinary expertise encompassing TCM, geriatric medicine, geriatric health, community medicine, and epidemiology at Ministry of Health and Welfare Tainan Hospital, this project aims to explore the correlations among sarcopenia, sleep conditions, and TCM body constitution, while evaluating the feasibility of incorporating the simplified Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ) into anti-frailty screenings to establish an evidence-based, TCM-integrated intervention model. A total of at least 360 participants will be recruited at Ministry of Health and Welfare Tainan Hospital across two distinct operational phases. In the first phase, a comprehensive cross-sectional assessment will be conducted on 300 older adults aged 65 and above to establish a geriatric TCM body constitution database, utilizing 7-day actigraphy, scientific tongue and pulse diagnosis, the BCQ, and standard geriatric functional assessment scales (including SARC-F, Fried frailty index, ADL, IADL, WHOQOL-BREF, EQ-5D, mini nutritional assessment, ISI, PSQI, and ECOG score), with eligible and consenting participants referred for overnight polysomnography (PSG) based on physician assessment. In the second phase, longitudinal interventional trials will be executed with 180 participants divided into three specific cohorts. The sarcopenia cohort, comprising 60 older adults aged 65 and above, will undergo a 3-month intervention combining acupoint massage and the Vivifrail exercise program, with data evaluated at baseline, month 1, and month 3, followed by a final tracking period extending to month 4. The geriatric sleep disturbance cohort (60 older adults aged 65 and above) and the adult sleep disturbance cohort (60 younger adults aged 20-64), all presenting with a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of 5 or higher, will participate in a 2-week curriculum consisting of sleep-related self-acupoint massage and sleep hygiene education, with clinical follow-ups scheduled at baseline, week 2, and week 6, a final tracking assessment at week 7, and intervention compliance monitoring conducted at week 3.

Conditions

• Sarcopenia
• Sleep Wake Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Sleep Hygiene Education

A 2-week digital/remote curriculum focusing on sleep hygiene education and sleep-related self-care guidelines.

OTHER

Vivifrail Exercise Program

A 12-week customized multicomponent physical exercise program designed for frailty prevention and physical function enhancement.

OTHER

Comprehensive Geriatric and Traditional Chinese Medicine Assessment

A comprehensive cross-sectional assessment for 300 older adults, including 7-day actigraphy, scientific tongue and pulse diagnosis, the simplified Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ), and standard geriatric functional assessment scales. Eligible and consenting participants are referred for overnight polysomnography (PSG).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-05-19

Primary Completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2027-12-31

Countries

• Taiwan

Study Locations