A multicomponent intervention consisting of exercise, proteins and omega-3 supplementation to improve sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: Lessons learned from a 5-armed randomized controlled feasibility trial.

The ENHANce feasibility trial enrolled 58 community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia across five intervention arms.

• Participants were aged 76.2±6.6 years, with 65.5% female
• Groups were: Exercise (n=9), Protein (n=12), Exercise+Protein (n=13), Exercise+Protein+Omega-3 (n=12), and Control (n=12)
• Participants were diagnosed with sarcopenia using EWGSOP2 criteria
• The trial was a parallel five-armed randomized assessor-blinded controlled feasibility trial with triple-blinded supplementation
• The intervention duration was 12 weeks

Feasibility of the multicomponent sarcopenia intervention was low, with a recruitment rate of only 2%.

• The recruitment rate was reported as 2%
• Feasibility was assessed via eligibility, recruitment, retention, and data completion rates
• The overall feasibility was characterized as 'low' by the authors

Acceptability of the multicomponent intervention was moderate, with participants reporting positive experiences but also notable challenges.

• Most participants completed the planned assessments
• Participants reported positive experiences such as feeling stronger and more aware of the importance of physical activity and nutrition
• Many participants found the study procedures demanding
• Many participants experienced difficulties with the protein supplements
• Adherence varied widely across interventions

The multicomponent intervention demonstrated high safety, with no significant adverse effects reported across any of the five study arms.

• Safety was assessed across all intervention groups including exercise, protein, and omega-3 supplementation arms
• No significant adverse effects were reported during the 12-week trial
• Safety was described as 'high' by the authors

The interventions showed potential to improve chair stand test (CST), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), muscle mass, and quadriceps strength.

• Preliminary efficacy results indicated that exercise with protein supplementation may improve physical function
• Outcomes measured included chair stand test (CST), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), muscle mass, and quadriceps strength
• Adding omega-3 PUFA to exercise and protein supplementation might offer further benefits for muscle strength and mass
• These findings are considered preliminary and require confirmation in larger studies
• Measurements were taken after 12 weeks of intervention

The study was a home-based individualized intervention combining exercise, proteins, and/or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation targeting community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.

• Exercise was individualized and home-based
• The intervention combined physical exercise, protein supplementation, and omega-3 PUFA supplementation in various combinations across arms
• Participants were community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years
• Sarcopenia diagnosis followed EWGSOP2 criteria
• The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03649698) as the ENHANce (Exercise and Nutrition for Healthy Ageing) study