Vitality Acupunch Exercise Program for Older Adults With Sarcopenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This project was aimed to test the effects of a six-month VA program on the muscle mass, muscle strength, and quality of sleep of institutional older adults with sarcopenia.

Detailed Description
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A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the effects of a six-month VA program on the muscle mass, muscle strength, and quality of sleep of institutional older adults with sarcopenia. Using convenience sampling, 12 long-term care facilities with 114 older adults were recruited, and then cluster-randomized by the facility to a VA experimental or a control group. The experimental group received the VA program led by certified instructors 3 times per week and 40 minutes per session for 6 months; the control group continued with their regular daily activities. One pre-test and two post-tests, 3 months apart, were conducted.

Official Title
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Effects of the Vitality Acupunch Exercise Program on the Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Sleep Quality of Older Adults With Sarcopenia

Conditions
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Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, Sleep Quality

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Vitality acupunch (VA) exercise program
* Other: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age ≥ 65 years old have been living in the facility for at least 3 months intact cognitive function with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire score ≥ 8 hand-grip strength < 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women calf circumference < 34 cm for men and < 33 cm for women Exclusion Criteria: have spinal cord injury have severe cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases have musculoskeletal diseases

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Vitality acupunch (VA)<br>The VA program took 40 minutes to complete and included 3 phases: 1) activating qi and blood (5 movements, 10 minutes): warm-up exercises that allowed the body to accumulate heat and promote flexibility of the joints to loosen up the body, 2) punching meridians (14 movements, 20 minutes): both hands were used to exert a vibrating effect according to the rhythms that stimulate the 14 meridians in the entire body to improve aerobic endurance, and 3) relaxing body and mind (5 movements, 10 minutes): muscle relaxing exercises to rest the body and cease the qi. Participants in the experimental group received the VA program led by the instructors, who were trained an certified by the PI, 3 times per week and 40 minutes per session for 6 months. | Other: Vitality acupunch (VA) exercise program<br>* The VA had 3 phases and took 40 minutes to complete.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control<br>Participants in the control group continued with their daily activities as usual. | Other: Control<br>* Participants maintained their daily activities.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle mass | measured by the calf circumference | 6 months | 
| Muscle strength | measured by the Digital Handgrip Dynamometer (TKK-5101) | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sleep quality | Measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): score ranges from 0-21; > 5 indicates clinically significant sleep disruptions. | 6 months |