Movement Velocity Biofeedback for Sarcopenia

Overseen By Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Creighton University

Disqualifiers: Resistance training, Neuromuscular, Circulatory, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 weeks

60 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment External Focus, Internal Focus for sarcopenia?

Research shows that exercise interventions can be effective in preventing and treating sarcopenia (muscle loss due to aging), which suggests that movement-based treatments like External Focus and Internal Focus could also be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment 'External Focus' differ from other treatments for sarcopenia?

The 'External Focus' treatment, involving movement velocity biofeedback, is unique because it emphasizes using feedback to improve movement speed, which is not a common focus in traditional sarcopenia treatments like resistance training or protein supplementation. This approach may help enhance muscle function by encouraging faster and more efficient movements, potentially offering a novel way to address muscle decline in older adults. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The overall objective for this clinical trial is to provide evidence for internal and external cueing for physical therapists and other rehabilitation clinicians to optimize resistance training within rehabilitation for older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the impact of external focus (providing velocity of movement for each repetition) compared to internal focus (i.e., no cues, control group) on physical percent velocity loss and neuromuscular activation in older adults with sarcopenia? * Does internal and external focus influence motivation and perceptual workload following resistance training in older adults with sarcopenia? Researchers will compare external focus to internal focus to see if external focus impacts percent velocity loss, motivation, and perceived workload. Participants will: * Visit the lab once per week for 3 weeks * Perform exercise testing using a leg press * Answer questionnaires regarding perceived workload and motivation before and after exercise

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults with sarcopenia, which is a condition involving muscle loss. Participants should be able to visit the lab weekly for three weeks and perform leg press exercises. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I can take care of myself without help.

Free of severe mental impairment

Score 4 or greater on the SARC-F sarcopenia questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria

I have Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, or issues with circulation or swelling.

Participated in a structured resistance training program in the last 12 months

I had a leg injury or surgery in the last 6 months.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants perform exercise testing using a leg press and answer questionnaires regarding perceived workload and motivation

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person, once per week)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• External Focus
• Internal Focus

Trial Overview The study tests whether giving feedback on movement velocity (external focus) during resistance training affects muscle activation and self-perception differently than no cues (internal focus). It measures physical performance, motivation, and workload perception in participants.

Participant Groups

Group I: Internal Focus Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: External Focus Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Creighton University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

128

Recruited

25,800+

Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

1,600+

Findings from Research

A study involving 117 frail elderly participants showed that 16 weeks of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise significantly improved mobility and function, with benefits lasting up to 12 months after the intervention.

WBV exercise was safe and well-tolerated, with high compliance rates (93%), and it outperformed control and simulated WBV groups in functional tests, demonstrating its effectiveness as a training tool against age-related declines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on the Physical Function of the Frail Elderly: An Open, Randomized Controlled Trial. Wadsworth, D., Lark, S.[2020]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prevalence of and interventions for sarcopenia in ageing adults: a systematic review. Report of the International Sarcopenia Initiative (EWGSOP and IWGS). [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. [2022]

3. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Treatment indications for sarcopenia: a systematic review of exercise intervention effect]. [2019]

4. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prevalence of sarcopenia and associated factors in hospitalised older patients: A cross-sectional study. [2018]

5. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the Risk of Sarcopenia in the Elderly: The Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA) Questionnaire. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on the Physical Function of the Frail Elderly: An Open, Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

7. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Habitual and Maximal Gait Speed and their Impact on Sarcopenia Quantification in German Nursing Home Residents. [2022]

8. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sarcopenia]. [2016]

9. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interventions against sarcopenia in older persons. [2019]