Authors (including presenting author) :
Kwan MWF(1), Tse ALY(1), Cheung SSY(1), Chan EMF(1), Kwong SSF(1), Leung JYY(2), Wong TW(2), Wan MC(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals (2) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
Introduction :
Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of skeletal muscle and function associated with adverse health outcomes such as falls, fractures and increased mortality. However, patients with coexistence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia, termed osteosarcopenia, are at an even higher risk and this consequently leads to a substantial healthcare challenge.
Objectives :
1.To identify incidence of patients with sarcopenia coexisting with osteoporosis 2.To empower patients with self-management and exercise techniques for sarcopenia 3.To evaluate the pilot Sarcopenia Physiotherapy Program
Methodology :
Osteoporosis patients, referred from the Osteoporosis Clinic of the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics and attended the Osteoporosis Class in the Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of RTSKH, were screened for sarcopenia according to the diagnostic criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2019. Patients who diagnosed with sarcopenia were recruited for the pilot Sarcopenia Physiotherapy Program if they had low muscle mass (Skeletal Muscle Mass Index SMI: M<7kg/m2, F <5.7kg/m2) plus low muscle strength (handgrip strength: M<28kg, F<18kg) or low physical performance (gait speed: <1m/s or 5-time Chair Stand Test ≥12s). Two sessions of Sarcopenia Class were provided with self-management, resistance exercise training principles, techniques and progression taught. Body weight-based and resistance exercise training for major muscle groups, which performed in 2-3 sets of 8-10 repetitions for 2-3 times a week, were prescribed and practised for a home-based workout.
Result & Outcome :
Among 134 patients with osteoporosis, 13 patients (9.7%) had sarcopenia (M:1 F:12; age 72+/-8 years old) and completed the program from June 2023 to December 2024. The mean intervention duration was 9.8 months. Post-assessment showed a significant increase in SMI (5.41 to 5.74kg/m2 p<0.05) and physical performance in the 5-time Chair Stand Test (12.8 to 9.6s p<0.01). Hand grip strength (18 to 19kg) and gait speed (1.1 to 1.2m/s) showed an improving trend though statistically non-significant. Overall, 69% of these patients showed improvement and were beyond the diagnostic range of sarcopenia after training. In conclusion, the pilot Sarcopenia Physiotherapy Program showed a positive effect in decreasing sarcopenic patients and improved their physical performance. And it is an effective home-based training program for further optimization.
