Smart Tech-Based Nutrition and Exercise for Sarcopenia Risk. (S-TEN)

HSIAO MEI LAN

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Sarcopenia

Treatments: Behavioral: The 12-week exercise component is delivered via the dedicated Line Bot platform. It includes three progressive exercise training videos (resistance, balance) . Participants are in

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07230210

IRB114-215-B (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Full 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.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Smart Technology-Assisted Exercise and Nutrition Program

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the intervention group (n=30) will receive a 12-week smart technology-assisted combined exercise and nutrition program. The intervention is delivered via a dedicated Line Bot platform, which provides: 1) Three progressive exercise training videos (resistance, aerobic, and balance) , \*\*with the goal of participants completing five exercise sessions per week using the provided materials\*\*. 2) Nutrition education videos focusing on protein intake. 3) Interactive features including daily reminders, protein intake calculation tools, and a digital diary with motivational elements to promote adherence and self-management.

Treatment:

Behavioral: The 12-week exercise component is delivered via the dedicated Line Bot platform. It includes three progressive exercise training videos (resistance, balance) . Participants are in

Standard Outpatient Care

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control group (n=30) will receive standard outpatient care for sarcopenia risk management, which includes general health education pamphlets and regular follow-ups at the clinic. They will not receive any specialized exercise training, nutrition videos, or access to the Line Bot platform during the 12-week intervention period.