The Effects of Group and Home-Based Exercise Programs in Elderly with Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Physical exercise is effective for sarcopenic elderly but evidence for the most effective mode of exercise is conflicting. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a three-month group-based versus home-based exercise program on muscular, functional/physical performance and quality of life (QoL) across elderly with sarcopenia. 54 elderly (47 women, 7 men aged 72.87 ± 7 years) were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: supervised group (n = 18), individualized home-based exercise (n = 18) and control group (n = 18). Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis, calf measurement with inelastic tape and strength assessments (grip and knee muscle strength) via hand-held and isokinetic dynamometers. Functional assessments included four-meter (4 m), Τimed-Up and Go (TUG) and chair stand (CS) tests. QoL was assessed with Greek Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQol_GR) questionnaire. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (week 12), and 3 months post-intervention (week 24). Significant group x time interactions (p < 0.001) were observed in QoL, calf circumference, TUG, CS, and 4 m tests, grip and knee muscle strength. Group-based compared to home-based exercise yielded significant improvements (p < 0.05) in muscle mass index, CS and 4 m tests, calf circumference, muscle strength at 12 weeks. Most improvements at 24 weeks were reported with grouped exercise. No changes were found across the control group. Results suggest group-based exercise was more effective than home-based for improving functional performance.

Pain Neuroscience Education and Physical Therapeutic Exercise for Patients with Chronic Spinal Pain in Spanish Physiotherapy Primary Care: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The first one was to choose an intense educational intervention similar to that used in previous studies [51], which might have favoured the modification of beliefs about pain [112], and that was continually strengthened throughout the program with the delivery of support material [113][114][115]. The second important aspect was the fact that the intervention of the EG was applied in a group, which favoured socialization [68][69][70] and took many patients out of their social isolation. Another important component was the inclusion of games in PE, which had a powerful distracting effect and positively influenced the modification of movement patterns, allowing subjects to overcome kinesiophobia and to achieve levels of aerobic training without being aware of the intensity of the effort made, with the consequent benefits of PE at this intensity.…”

“…In this line, our group designed a new intervention [67], adapting the first-line recommendations of the current clinical evidence-based guidelines [9][10][11][12][13][14] to the PC setting. Looking for a consensus on the optimal doses of PNE and PE, with a standard and cost-effective intervention and in order to optimize the resources available, a "group treatment" program was chosen, as group treatment has previously been shown to be effective [68][69][70]. Regarding the educational intervention, an intense 10 h PNE program has been designed, while the PE group program was aimed at improving functionality, social interaction, physical contact, and progressively reaching levels close to 70% of maximum aerobic capacity through playful activities (gamification), double tasks, and challenges [67].…”

Effect of Decreased Skeletal Muscle Index and Hand Grip Strength on Functional Recovery in Subacute Ambulatory Stroke Patients

“…Patients in DG of the present study received the same amount of resistance training as those in NDG. Tsekoura et al [38] have reported that supervised strengthening exercise approach to sarcopenic population is effective for improving SMI, muscle mass, and gait speed. One report on congestive heart failure patients with low muscle mass has shown improvement by resistance training [39].…”

Corticospinal Control of Human Locomotion as a New Determinant of Age-Related Sarcopenia: An Exploratory Study

“…The focus on the disease as being tied to the muscular system may also explain contradictory findings of non-pharmacological interventions used so far to prevent or control sarcopenia. Exercise programs show to be highly variable regarding type and mode of exercise offered [113] and result in low quality of evidence when summarized in a systematic review and meta-analysis [114]. Strength training for example, an exercise mode often used to treat sarcopenia, may not always be effective because it is not able to overcome the age-related blunted efferent neural drive plasticity [115].…”