Effects of digital health-based exercise interventions on older adults with sarcopenia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Exp GerontolAug 4, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchGeriatrics
Jun Xu, Shasha Li, Xinyu Yang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of digital health-based exercise interventions for older adults with sarcopenia, including 14 randomized controlled trials with 927 participants. The findings indicated significant improvements in muscle strength (MD = 2.14, P < 0.001) and balance ability (SMD = 0.31, P = 0.001), although no significant effect on quality of life was observed.
Key findings
- Digital interventions improved muscle strength by 2.14 (P < 0.001).
- Balance ability showed a significant improvement with an SMD of 0.31 (P = 0.001).
- No significant effect on quality of life was found (SMD = 0.08, P = 0.53).
- Exploratory analyses suggested that supervision and program duration may influence outcomes.
Why it matters
As sarcopenia affects independence in older adults, effective interventions are crucial. Digital health solutions may offer scalable options to enhance muscle strength and balance, potentially improving overall physical function in this population.