Exercise, nutrition, physical agent therapy in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
摘要
Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is characterized by the co-existence of excess adiposity and low muscle performance, with a high prevalence and poor prognosis in the geriatric population.
ObjectivesThis systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to assess the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for SO patients, including nutrition, exercise, and physical agent therapy.
MethodsA systematic search of six electronic databases was conducted from their inception until July 5, 2025, for randomized controlled trials. The NMA utilized a random-effects model, pooled mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD), with 95% credible intervals (CrI), accounting for correlations within multi-arm trials. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
ResultsTwenty-five studies were included, with 19 studies (n = 1,085 participants) eligible for the NMA. Interventions were categorized into 12 groups: no intervention, nutrition, whole-body electromyostimulation (WBEMS), WBEMS plus nutrition, resistance training (RT), aerobic training (AT), mixed exercise (RT + AT), mixed exercise plus nutrition, energy restriction plus nutrition, high-speed resistance training, RT plus nutrition, and electrical acupuncture plus nutrition. Intervention duration ranged from 8 weeks to 8 months. Mixed exercise was the most effective intervention for reducing body fat percentage (BF%) (MD: -3.8, 95% CrI: -6.8, -0.8), followed by RT (MD: -2.4, 95% CrI: -4.5, -0.46). RT also significantly improved grip strength (MD: 4.4, 95% CrI: 1.6, 6.8). In the fat outcomes combined model, electrical acupuncture plus nutrition showed efficacy (MD: -2.2, 95% CrI: -3.5, -0.78). In the muscular outcomes combined model, both RT (MD: 0.36, 95% CrI: 0.14, 0.56) and RT plus nutrition (MD: 0.83, 95% CrI: 0.092, 1.7) were effective. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the models for body weight, BF%, and the two composite outcomes lack robustness.
ConclusionsRT can reduce BF% while simultaneously improving grip strength, representing an effective management strategy for SO.