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Factors influencing the efficacy of nutritional interventions on muscle mass in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Nutrition reviews
January 1, 1970
Aitana Martin-Cantero et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The study aimed to summarize factors influencing the efficacy of nutritional interventions on muscle mass in older adults, excluding neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Results Summary

The study did not assess neuromuscular electrical stimulation, as it was an exclusion criterion. The focus was on nutritional interventions like amino acids, creatine, and protein supplements.

Population

Older adults (mean age 78.1 years) without neuromuscular disorders, chronic kidney disease, cancer, or other specified exclusions.

Effective Dosage

Not Assessed

Duration

Not Assessed

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Amino acids
increase
muscle mass
older adults
-
significantly improved
#1
Creatine
increase
muscle mass
older adults
-
significantly improved
#2
β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate
increase
muscle mass
older adults
-
significantly improved
#3
Protein with amino acids supplementation
increase
muscle mass
older adults
-
significantly improved
#4
Protein supplementation alone
no change
muscle mass
older adults
-
No effect was found
#5
Protein and other components
no change
muscle mass
older adults
-
No effect was found
#6
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
no change
muscle mass
older adults
-
No effect was found
#7
Abstract

CONTEXT: Nutritional interventions stimulate muscle protein synthesis in older adults. To optimize muscle mass preservation and gains, several factors, including type, dose, frequency, timing, duration, and adherence have to be considered. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize these factors influencing the efficacy of nutritional interventions on muscle mass in older adults. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was performed using the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus from inception date to November 22, 2017, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials, mean or median age ≥65 years, and reporting muscle mass at baseline and postintervention. Exclusion criteria included genetically inherited diseases, anabolic drugs or hormone therapies, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, neuromuscular disorders, and cancer. DATA EXTRACTION: Extracted data included study characteristics (ie, population, sample size, age, sex), muscle mass measurements (ie, method, measure, unit), effect of the intervention vs the control group, and nutritional intervention factors (ie, type, composition, dose, duration, frequency, timing, and adherence). DATA ANALYSIS: Standardized mean differences and 95%CIs were calculated from baseline to postintervention. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model and grouped by the type of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-nine studies were included, encompassing 2255 participants (mean age, 78.1 years; SD, 2.22). Amino acids, creatine, β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, and protein with amino acids supplementation significantly improved muscle mass. No effect was found for protein supplementation alone, protein and other components, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. High interstudy variability was observed regarding the dose, duration, and frequency, coupled with inconsistency in reporting timing and adherence. Overall, several nutritional interventions could be effective to improve muscle mass measures in older adults. Because of the substantial variability of the intervention factors among studies, the optimum profile is yet to be established. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018111306.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedDietary SupplementsHumansMuscle StrengthMuscle, SkeletalRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations36
Citations/Year9.0
Relative Citation Ratio4.06
NIH Percentile90.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.89
Normalized Score0.57