Authors (including presenting author) :
Lau WLC (1), Lam WTR (1), Chau PCM (1), Cheung WK (1), Kwong MK(1), Leung KHE(1), Lee HS (1), Lin HC (1), Lee MHM(1).
Affiliation :
(1) Sarcopenia management Task Group, OTCOC, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Introduction :
There has been an increasing trend in advanced age and frailty of elderly patients known to occupational therapist from inpatient to community phase. Possible sarcopenia is one of the common comorbidities among these cases, yet there is lack of structured programs for occupational therapy (OT) assessment and management of possible sarcopenia within Hospital Authority (HA) clusters.
Objectives :
1. To standardize cross-cluster OT assessment and intervention for possible sarcopenia
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of OT intervention for possible sarcopenia
Methodology :
Subjects were selected through convenience sampling from seven hospitals across seven HA clusters, spanning from inpatient to community phases. Screening for possible sarcopenia was conducted using Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, Fall (SARC-F) questionnaire or calf circumference, and handgrip strength assessments. Demographics, episode of medical consultation and outcome measures were assessed pre- and post-OT intervention, including:
- Modified Barthel Index
- Lawton IADL scale
- Abbreviated Mental Test
- WHO-5 Well-being Index
- Fall Efficacy Scale
- Functional Independence Measure
- The Hong Kong version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Statistical analysis was performed using paired sample t-test, with spilt-group analysis to explore treatment effectiveness based on diagnostic groups.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 79 eligible subjects were recruited, with mean age of 83.7 years (median 85). Approximately 4% had a confirmed diagnosis of sarcopenia. Notably, 40% of subjects had recent falls, and over 30% had more than three medical comorbidities. The percentage of OT interventions provided included functional restoration training (100%), fall prevention program (100%), cognitive training (78%), self-management program (47%), home safety advice (30%) and psychosocial intervention (18%). The overall outcomes shown statistically significant improvement after the program. Additionally, the subjects with medical or orthopedic conditions shown more beneficial effects from the program. As the first local cross-cluster pilot projects for OT management of possible sarcopenia, these findings can serve as an OT reference for developing service frameworks for sarcopenia management in the future.
