Exercise, Nutritional Intervention Improves Physical Function Among OAs

Prefrail older adults (OAs) who received nutritional intervention and exercise experienced a substantial improvement in physical function, according to recently published data.

Researchers sought to determine the effects of nutritional intervention and exercise on the physical function of prefrail OAs by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data was extracted from Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Clinical Trials, and PubMed from inception to September 1, 2021.

Physical function including physical performance, mobility, and grip strength were primary outcomes and frailty status, weight, body mass index, Barthel index, and quality of life (Euro quality of life 5 dimension index values) were secondary outcomes.

To assess the physical performance researchers utilized the short physical performance battery score and chair sit-to-stand test and mobility was assessed through timed up and go and gait speed.

The final study included 16 randomized controlled trials, comprised of 1199 prefrail OAs (intervention group, n=593; control group, n=606).

“Exercise and nutritional interventions significantly improved the short physical performance battery score [n=5, mean difference .81, 95% confidence interval (CI) .21-1.42, I² = 62%], handgrip strength (n=7, mean difference 1.52, 95% CI 0.70-2.34, I² = 6%), and gait speed (n=4, standard weighted mean difference -1.06, 95% CI -1.87 to -.25, I² = 89%), wrote researchers.

The chair sit-to-stand test, timed up and go, weight, body mass index, and Barthel index saw no significant differences.

Reference:
Liu C, Xu H, Chen L, Zhu M. Exercise and nutritional intervention for physical function of the prefrail: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. Published online June 10, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2022.05.007