Effects of a multidomain intervention on physical performance and sarcopenia in long-term care facility residents: The I-COUNT pilot randomized controlled trial.
Chiara Ceolin, Giulia Pasolini, Mario Virgilio Papa et al.
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In 30 seconds
The I-COUNT pilot study assessed a multidomain intervention's effects on physical performance and sarcopenia in residents aged ≥70 years in long-term care facilities. This 6-month randomized controlled trial found significant improvements in physical performance (SPPB: +1.6 points vs. +0.3 in controls, p = 0.001) and handgrip strength (+3.2 kg vs. -0.1 kg, p = 0.026) in the intervention group compared to usual care.
Key findings
- Intervention group showed a 1.6-point increase in SPPB compared to 0.3 in controls (p = 0.001).
- Handgrip strength increased by 3.2 kg in the intervention group versus a decrease of 0.1 kg in controls (p = 0.026).
- Sarcopenia prevalence decreased from 37.1% to 15.4% in the intervention group, while remaining stable in controls.
Why it matters
As the population ages, preserving physical function and preventing sarcopenia in older adults is crucial. This study suggests that a comprehensive intervention may enhance physical performance and reduce sarcopenia risk in long-term care settings.