Effects of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation on physical function, muscle mass and strength, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
To investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation on physical function, muscle strength, muscle mass, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation.
Results Summary
The study found that branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation, combined with low-intensity resistance training, significantly improved muscle strength, muscle mass, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults, though no significant treatment-by-time effects were observed for physical function.
Population
Sarcopenic older adults (aged ≥65 years) with low muscle strength and low muscle mass undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | muscle-related outcomes | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | improves | #1 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | Functional Independence Measure-motor scores | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | increased significantly | #2 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | no change | Functional Independence Measure-motor scores | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | median estimated difference 2.4, 95% confidence interval -1.2 to 7.1 | no treatment-by-time effects were observed | #3 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | handgrip strength | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | increased significantly | #4 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | handgrip strength | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | significantly greater improvements | #5 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | calf circumference | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | increased significantly | #6 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | calf circumference | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | significantly greater improvements | #7 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | body mass index | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | increased significantly | #8 |
branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training | increase | body mass index | sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation | - | significantly greater improvements | #9 |
AIM: To investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation on physical function, muscle strength, muscle mass, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation. METHODS: We carried out an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, controlled, blinded outcome, two-cohort parallel group intervention trial of sarcopenic older adults undergoing in-hospital rehabilitation. The eligibility criteria included older adults (aged ≥65 years) with low muscle strength (handgrip strength) and low muscle mass (calf circumference) according to the cut-off values for older Asians. The intervention group received branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation, whereas the control group did not. Both groups underwent low-intensity resistance training in addition to the post-acute rehabilitation program. The primary outcome of physical function (Functional Independence Measure-motor scores), and the secondary outcomes of muscle strength (handgrip strength), muscle mass (calf circumference) and nutritional status (body mass index) were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Finally, a total of 68 patients were analyzed (intention-to-treat analysis): 35 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. Functional Independence Measure-motor scores increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.05). However, no treatment-by-time effects were observed (median estimated difference 2.4, 95% confidence interval -1.2 to 7.1). Handgrip strength, calf circumference and body mass index increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the intervention group (P = 0.041, 0.033 and 0.035, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that an 8-week intervention of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training improves muscle-related outcomes in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation (UMIN000006238). Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 12-17.