Ann Rehabil Med.  2023 Oct;47(5):358-366. 10.5535/arm.23076.

Improved Muscle Mass and Function With Protein Supplementation in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis

• Kwon HE
• Ko N
• Yuk D
• Choi SW
• Koh SE

• KMID: 2548395
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23076

Abstract

Objective
To systematically review the effects of protein supplementation in older adults with sarcopenia.
Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until May 2023. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) randomized controlled trials with a quantitative study design; (2) studies with a study group of older adults with sarcopenia; (3) studies comparing muscle mass, muscle strength, and performance of older adults with sarcopenia after protein supplementation; and (4) studies published up to May 2023.
Results
Six retrospective comparative studies, including 715 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The nutritional supplementation group exhibited significant improvement in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–0.58; p<0.001; I²=1%), while handgrip strength (SMD=0.37; 95% CI, -0.32–1.07; p=0.29; I²=94%) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (SMD=0.35; 95% CI, -0.47–1.18; p=0.40; I²=94%) showed a tendency for improvement.
Conclusion
Nutritional supplementation with protein increased appendicular muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia and improved handgrip strength and SPPB scores.

Keyword

Sarcopenia; Protein; Skeletal muscle; Meta-analysis

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Flowchart showing the study design.

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  Fig. 2. Forest plot showing the results of appendicular muscle mass in sarcopenia after protein supplementation. SD, standard deviation; SMD, standardized mean difference; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.

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  Fig. 3. Forest plot showing the results of (A) handgrip strength and (B) Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores after protein supplementation. SD, standard deviation; SMD, standardized mean difference; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.

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  Fig. 4. Summary of the quality assessment of the randomized controlled trials included in the meta-analysis.

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  Fig. 5. Funnel plot of the included studies of (A) appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), (B) handgrip strength, and (C) Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores.

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