A 3-month integrated exercise intervention improves diagnostic parameters of sarcopenia in ambulatory community-dwelling older adults with Dementia: A two-group pre-test/post-test design.

This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-month exercise intervention program on diagnostic parameters of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Eighty participants were recruited: the intervention group (n = 40) engaged in integrated exercise sessions three times per week; the control group (n = 40) received usual care. Pre-test, only the physical performance parameter differed between groups, which was better for the intervention group (p < .05). Compared with controls, the intervention group had significantly better post-test parameters of muscle strength, and physical performance; fewer participants were categorized as having sarcopenia (p = .012). However, sarcopenia distribution pre-test vs. post-test within the intervention group was not significant. These findings suggest that a 3-month exercise intervention can effectively improve diagnostic parameters of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults with dementia. This intervention positively affected diagnostic parameters of sarcopenia however further modifications will be required to reduce sarcopenia.