Overview
Sarcopenia, characterized by muscle loss and weakness, is a major health issue among older adults and impacts mobility and quality of life. This study addresses the current lack of long-term, technology-assisted support for managing this condition at home. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will evaluate a 12-week smart-technology-based program for 60 older adults at risk of sarcopenia.
- Intervention
Participants in the intervention group will receive a technology-assisted program delivered through a Line Bot system. The platform provides personalized exercise training videos, nutrition education, daily reminders, and a point-based logging system to support adherence and monitor engagement. The control group will receive standard clinic-based care.
- Purpose
The study aims to examine whether the smart technology intervention can improve muscle mass, physical performance, quality of life, and self-management ability among older adults at risk of sarcopenia.
Expected Benefit:
The digital intervention is anticipated to offer a more effective, accessible, and sustainable approach compared with standard care, providing practical support for preventing muscle decline in community-dwelling older adults
Description
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) is designed as a 12-week intervention to evaluate the efficacy of a smart technology-assisted nutrition and exercise program for community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) at risk of sarcopenia. Participants (N = 60) will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). Data will be collected at baseline, week 8 (mid-intervention), and week 12 (post-intervention).
Intervention Group:
Participants will receive the 12-week program delivered through a dedicated Line Bot platform. Core components include:
Exercise Training: Three progressive exercise videos (resistance, aerobic, and balance training) designed to enhance muscle function.
Nutrition Education: One video focusing on adequate protein intake and dietary habits essential for muscle maintenance.
Smart Technology Features: The Line Bot functions as a personalized case management tool, offering daily reminders for exercise and protein intake, an interactive calculator for estimating daily protein consumption, and a digital logging system with motivational rewards to support adherence and self-management behaviors.
Control Group:
Participants will receive standard outpatient care and general health education pamphlets. They will not receive access to the Line Bot system, exercise videos, or personalized support.
Primary outcome data will be collected at week 12. Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics and inferential methods, such as repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), to examine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria
Score ≥ 11 on the SARC-CalF questionnaire, indicating risk of sarcopenia.
No evident functional impairment in the limbs and able to complete handgrip strength, walking speed, and muscle mass assessments.
Possesses basic reading, writing, and calculation abilities sufficient to understand study-related materials and complete informed consent and daily logs.
Owns a smartphone and has used it for at least one year, with basic operational ability (e.g., sending and receiving LINE messages, scanning QR codes).
Exclusion Criteria
Self-reported functional impairment in any limb.
Requires assistance from a wheelchair, walker, or cane for ambulation.
Has an implanted cardiac pacemaker.
Currently participating in, or planning to participate in, other physical training courses or nutrition programs during the study period.