Effectiveness of a Remote Monitoring-Based Home Training System for Preventing Frailty in Older Adults in Japan: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study examined whether SUKUBARA®, a remotely managed training system that we developed, could improve skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults. SUKUBARA® is a composite exercise program that combines lower-load resistance training and balance exercises. Participants were instructed to exercise while watching individually assigned videos on YouTube, such that the research administrators could verify the viewing records of each participant. Fifteen participants (69 ± 4 years) were randomly assigned to the intervention (eight participants; the RT group) or the control group (seven participants; the CO group). The primary endpoint was a change in fat-free mass (FFM; kg), whereas the secondary endpoints included a change in knee extension strength (KES; Nm/kg). Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between FFM and KES. During the 12-week intervention period, significant differences were observed between the RT and CO groups in the changes in FFM (0.5 ± 0.5 vs. −0.1 ± 0.5) and KES (0.20 ± 0.22 vs. 0.02 ± 0.13), and significant positive correlations were found between the changes. Thus, SUKUBARA®-based interventions have the potential to improve muscle hypertrophy and enhance muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. Thus, SUKUBARA® -based interventions show promise in improving muscle hypertrophy and enhance muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. However, appropriately powered future research is needed to replicate these findings.

Association between remote resistance exercises programs delivered by a smartphone application and skeletal muscle mass among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes– a retrospective real-world study

“…These innovations provide accessible, personalized, and scalable exercise solutions, featuring real-time feedback and instructions, some of which can integrate with wearable technology. While several clinical trials have shed light on the effectiveness of such interventions in clinical scenarios (13)(14)(15), home-based real-world evidence, particularly within the Chinese population, remains scarce. Our objective is to explore the relationship between remote resistance exercise programs delivered via a smartphone application and skeletal muscle mass among elderly patients with T2D, utilizing real-world data.…”