Reducing muscle weakness in nursing home residents: a study quantifying acceptance and feasibility of a formal training algorithm, and reliability of endpoint measures.

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is a growing problem, especially in nursing care. It is therefore mandatory to integrate measures such as resistance training to maintain muscle strength into nursing care.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and feasibility of a novel training algorithm in a nursing home environment. Furthermore, the reliability of measurements for the diagnosis of sarcopenia was tested in the nursing home setting.

METHODS

Twenty-eight nursing home residents took part in the study, which encompassed two pre- and two post-examinations and a four-week training intervention. The training sessions were documented with regard to acceptance and feasibility as well as training motivation and intensity.

RESULTS

A combined acceptance and feasibility of at least 54% was shown, quantifying adherence of the residents to the training. The operational feasibility was 91% and the exercise performance feasibility of the residents was between 88% and 94.2%. All intraclass correlation coefficients showed at least a good reliability (all ≥ 0.84). Training motivation was higher when participants trained in a group (p = 0.007), but training intensity was greater when they trained individually (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION: The main influencing factors for acceptance and feasibility were illness in general and a lack of motivation by the residents. Against the assumption, training was also possible during the weekends.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the study shows that our proposed training algorithm is acceptable and feasible in a nursing home environment. In future, the efficacy of the training needs to be shown.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00030211; Date of registration: 2022-09-12.