Improved Muscle Mass and Function With Protein Supplementation in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis

Hyo Eun Kwon; Nayeon Ko; Doyoung Yuk; Seo Won Choi; Seong-Eun Koh

doi:10.5535/arm.23076

Improved Muscle Mass and Function With Protein Supplementation in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis

Ann Rehabil Med. 2023 Oct;47(5):358-366. doi: 10.5535/arm.23076. Epub 2023 Oct 23.

Authors

Hyo Eun Kwon¹, Nayeon Ko¹, Doyoung Yuk¹, Seo Won Choi¹, Seong-Eun Koh¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, and Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Objective: : To systematically review the effects of protein supplementation in older adults with sarcopenia.

Methods: : A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until May 2023. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) randomized controlled trials with a quantitative study design; (2) studies with a study group of older adults with sarcopenia; (3) studies comparing muscle mass, muscle strength, and performance of older adults with sarcopenia after protein supplementation; and (4) studies published up to May 2023.

Results: : Six retrospective comparative studies, including 715 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The nutritional supplementation group exhibited significant improvement in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.58; p<0.001; I²=1%), while handgrip strength (SMD=0.37; 95% CI, -0.32-1.07; p=0.29; I²=94%) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (SMD=0.35; 95% CI, -0.47-1.18; p=0.40; I²=94%) showed a tendency for improvement.

Conclusion: : Nutritional supplementation with protein increased appendicular muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia and improved handgrip strength and SPPB scores.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Protein; Sarcopenia; Skeletal muscle.