JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Sarcopenia is closely associated with poor quality of life and mortality and the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia represent a critical area of research, with significant implications for the health of the elderly population. Resistance training is an effective treatment for elderly patients with sarcopenia. However, due to reasons such as inadequate rehabilitation facilities, transportation barriers, financial constraints, and diminished physical ability, elderly patients with sarcopenia often face challenges when receiving traditional rehabilitation treatments at hospitals.

Objective:

This study aims to compare the effects of a digital rehabilitation program with traditional therapist-supervised rehabilitation training in elderly patients with sarcopenia.

Methods:

Fifty-eight sarcopenia patients, diagnosed according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), were randomly assigned to the tele-rehabilitation group (TRG) or the in-person rehabilitation group (IRG) supervised by a therapist. Both groups underwent a 4-week resistance training program targeting six major muscle groups. The TRG group received exercise guidance via a mobile application, while the IRG group received in-person training from a therapist. Assessments of body composition, strength, balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and self-care ability were conducted before and after the intervention. Specific assessments included grip strength, 30-Second Arm Curl Test (30SACT), 30-Second Sitting-to-Rising Test (30SSRT), quadriceps femoris extension peak torque (EPT) and total power (ETP), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed up-and-go test (TUGT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).

Results:

Fifty-one subjects completed this study. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in strength (grip strength, 30SACT, 30SSRT, quadriceps femoris EPT and ETP), balance (BBS), and IADL (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of changes in body composition, strength, balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and IADL.

Conclusions:

A 4-week remote resistance training program is effective in improving strength, balance, and IADL in elderly patients with sarcopenia, with effects comparable to rehabilitation supervised by a physical therapist. Tele-rehabilitation may be a convenient and effective alternative for elderly sarcopenia patients who have limited access to rehabilitation resources. Clinical Trial: http://www.chictr.org.cn/, ChiCTR 2300071648, May 22, 2023.