Effectiveness of Nutrition and Exercise Interventions in Older Adults With Sarcopenia in Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City

Summary

Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, which may adversely affect functional capacity and quality of life in older adults.

This study is a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of physical activity and combined physical activity plus nutritional support among community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia. Eligible participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: (1) a control group receiving health education, (2) a physical activity intervention group, or (3) a combined physical activity and nutritional support intervention group.

Outcomes are assessed at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2). The first 12 weeks evaluate the effects of the intervention, while weeks 13-24 evaluate the maintenance of intervention effects.

Conditions

• Sarcopenia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Health education

A group-based health education session is provided at the beginning of the intervention by nutritionists from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. The education covers nutrition and physical activity for the prevention and management of sarcopenia and is delivered through a combination of face-to-face education and supporting materials, including a handbook and videos. This intervention is provided to participants in all three study arms.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical Activity Intervention

A 24-week physical activity program specifically designed for older adults with sarcopenia and supervised by exercise specialists. The program consists of aerobic exercise for 30 minutes per session, twice weekly, and resistance exercise for 30 minutes per session, twice weekly. Exercise intensity is progressively increased according to each participant's capacity. The program combines supervised face-to-face sessions (once weekly during weeks 1-12 and once monthly during weeks 13-24) with supporting exercise guidance through a handbook and videos. The intervention is provided to the physical activity group and the combined physical activity plus nutritional support group.

BEHAVIORAL

Individualized Nutritional Counseling

Individualized nutritional counseling is provided by nutritionists from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City through a combination of face-to-face and online counseling, once weekly during weeks 1-12. Counseling addresses energy requirements, protein intake, high-quality protein sources, dietary balance, and management of gastrointestinal symptoms.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Oral nutritional supplementation

Participants receive one bottle of oral nutritional supplement daily during weeks 1-12. Each bottle provides 270 kcal and 11 g of protein and contains HMB, omega-3, omega-6, omega-9 fatty acids, and vitamin D. Oral nutritional supplementation is discontinued during weeks 13-24 to evaluate maintenance of the intervention effects.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-10

Primary Completion

2025-12-31

Completion

2025-12-31

Countries

• Vietnam

Study Locations