Effects of a leucine-enriched amino acid supplement on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function in post-stroke patients with sarcopenia: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a leucine-enriched amino acid supplement could improve muscle mass, strength, and physical function in post-stroke patients with sarcopenia.
Results Summary
The study found that leucine supplementation significantly improved physical function (FIM score), handgrip strength, and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) compared to the control group, with greater improvements in the intervention group.
Population
Post-stroke older patients with sarcopenia (n=44).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
leucine-enriched amino acid supplement | increase | FIM score | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | - | increased significantly | #1 |
leucine-enriched amino acid supplement | increase | FIM score | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | - | greater improvement | #2 |
leucine-enriched amino acid supplement | increase | handgrip strength | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | - | increased significantly | #3 |
leucine-enriched amino acid supplement | increase | handgrip strength | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | - | greater improvement | #4 |
leucine-enriched amino acid supplement | increase | SMI | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | - | increased significantly | #5 |
leucine-enriched amino acid supplement | increase | SMI | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | 0.50 kg/m² | greater improvement | #6 |
leucine-enriched amino acid supplementation and low-intensity resistance training | increase | muscle mass, strength, and physical function | post-stroke patients with sarcopenia | - | increased | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a leucine-enriched amino acid supplement on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function in post-stroke patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: We conducted an eight-wk, two-parallel group intervention, randomized controlled, blinded outcome assessment among 44 post-stroke older patients with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was defined as a loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreased muscle strength according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. The intervention group (n = 21) received a leucine-enriched amino acid supplement; the control group (n = 23) did not. Both groups performed low-intensity resistance training in addition to a post-stroke rehabilitation program. A primary outcome of physical function by using the motor domain of Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and secondary outcomes of appendicular muscle mass (skeletal muscle mass index [SMI]) measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis and muscle strength as handgrip strength were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: The FIM score increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.01), with significantly greater improvement in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.045). Handgrip strength also increased significantly over time (P <0.05), with significantly greater improvement in the intervention group (P < 0.01). The SMI increased significantly in the intervention group but not in the control group over time, with significantly greater improvement in the intervention group (median estimated difference, 0.50 kg/m CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that an eight-wk intervention consisting of a leucine-enriched amino acid supplementation and low-intensity resistance training increased muscle mass, strength, and physical function in post-stroke patients with sarcopenia.