Effects of digital-based interventions on the outcomes of the eligibility criteria for sarcopenia in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

While the digital-based interventions targeting older adults to prevent age-related health problems such as sarcopenia have grown rapidly in recent years, there are no meta-analyses indicating synthesized pooled estimates.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of digital-based interventions on sarcopenia-related measures, including physical performance and muscle mass, in healthy community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Systematic searches were performed on MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies published up to 31 March 2023. The mean difference with a 95 % confidence interval was calculated. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0. The GRADE criteria were used to assess evidence certainty.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized controlled trials with 742 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Handgrip strength, usual walking speed, five times sit-to-stand performance, and 30-second chair stand test showed significant enhancements with the digital-based interventions. However, there were no significant effects of digital-based interventions in appendicular muscle mass. The overall evidence certainty was low.

CONCLUSIONS

Although digital-based interventions for healthy older adults are effective in improving physical functions, evidence certainty is low. Additional randomized controlled trials are thus required to further validate the findings.