Objective: To investigate the available evidence on the components of sarcopenia in geriatric rehabilitation and to examine whether changes in different settings are associated with sarcopenia.
Data sources: PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched from initiation to August 30, 2021.
Study selection: We included randomized controlled trials of older adults receiving geriatric rehabilitation that included strength exercise training.
Data extraction: The following study contents were extracted: study design, patient characteristics, sample size, description of the rehabilitation setting, follow-up time point, and outcomes. The main outcomes were muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance.
Data synthesis: Weighted mean difference for Timed Up and Go score and standardized mean difference for other parameters were calculated.
Conclusions: Center-based geriatric rehabilitation improved lower limb strength and Timed Up and Go test score to a greater extent than home-based geriatric rehabilitation in elderly people. Center-based training seems to show a minor superior effect on gait speed in prolonged follow-up rather than at the endpoint of intervention. To draw a stronger conclusion, further high-quality trials with standard protocols and longer follow-up are needed.
Keywords: Geriatrics; Health facilities; Rehabilitation; Sarcopenia.
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.