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Low muscle mass is a common condition among older adults that adversely affects strength, physical performance and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a simple home-based resistance exercise program for older adults with low muscle mass, which was defined as appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) measured by bioimpedance analysis lower than 5.7 kg/m2 in females, and lower than 7.0 kg/m2 in males. This home-based resistance exercise program targets 10 muscles with a frequency of 3–5 days/week for 24 weeks. ASM, grip strength, gait speed and functional reach were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The same four outcomes were then remeasured at 9 months to assess long-term effects. A total of 112 participants (average age: 70 years) were recruited. The mean difference between baseline and 6 months was statistically significant for all outcomes, including ASM [0.12 kg/m2: 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.05–0.18; P = 0.001], gait speed (0.19 meter/s: 95% CI, 0.14–0.25; P < 0.001), grip strength (2.06 kg: 95% CI, 1.32–2.80; P < 0.001), and functional reach distance (4.18 cm: 95% CI, 3.18–5.18; P < 0.001). Change over time for all main outcomes from baseline to 9 months also showed statistically significant improvement. The most commonly reported adverse events were muscle pain, joint pain and fatigue. The majority of participants (90–93%) had good exercise compliance, even at the end of the study. In conclusion, this 24-week simple home-based resistance exercise program significantly improved all main outcomes with low adverse events, and most participants continued the program after the end of the intervention.

PurposeTo study the efficacy of traditional Thai massage (TTM) versus conventional physical therapy (PT) programs in treating muscle spasticity, functional ability, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in Thai stroke patients.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial with a blinded assessor was carried out at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand). The study included 50 stroke (onset ≥3 months) outpatients experiencing spasticity at the elbow or knee muscles at a grade of ≥1+ on the modified Ashworth Scale who were ≥50 years old and able to communicate. The subjects were randomly allocated to the treatment group receiving TTM (24 subjects) or the control group receiving the PT program (26 subjects). Both groups received treatment (either TTM or PT) twice a week for 6 weeks. Spasticity grade, functional ability, anxiety, depression, and QoL were measured at Week 0 and Week 6.ResultsAt Week 6, the percentage of patients whose modified Ashworth Scale score had decreased by at least one grade was not statistically significant between the two groups. Both TTM and PT groups experienced a significant increase in functional ability and QoL, but no difference was found between the groups. Anxiety and depression scores showed a decreasing trend in the TTM group.ConclusionThis preliminary report showed no evidence that TTM differed from the PT program in decreasing spasticity. However, both interventions may relieve spasticity, increase functional ability, and improve QoL after 6 weeks. Only TTM can decrease anxiety and depression scores. Further studies with adequate sample size are necessary.

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