Effects of Protein Supplementation Combined with Exercise Training on Muscle Mass and Function in Older Adults with Lower-Extremity Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

• Published in: Nutrients 2020-08, Vol.12 (8), p.2422
• Main Authors: Liao, Chun-De, Wu, Yen-Tzu, Tsauo, Jau-Yih, Chen, Pey-Rong, Tu, Yu-Kang, Chen, Hung-Chou, Liou, Tsan-Hon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Arthritis; arthroplasty; Athletic taping; Bias; Biomedical materials; Clinical trials; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Dietary Supplements; Disease; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Therapy - methods; exercise training; Female; Fitness training programs; Humans; Intervention; Joint surgery; Joints (anatomy); Male; Meta-analysis; muscle mass; Muscle strength; Muscle Strength - drug effects; Muscular Atrophy - complications; Muscular Atrophy - prevention & control; Musculoskeletal system; Nutrition; Older people; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - complications; Osteoarthritis - physiopathology; Osteoarthritis - therapy; Pain; Physical fitness; Physical Functional Performance; Physical training; protein supplement; Proteins; Quality; Randomization; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Review; Risk analysis; Sarcopenia; Systematic review; Treatment Outcome; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Walking
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu12082422

Aging and osteoarthritis (OA) are associated with a high risk of muscle mass loss, which can lead to physical disability. This study investigated the effectiveness of protein supplementation combined with exercise training (PS + ET) in improving muscle mass and functional outcomes in older adults with lower-limb OA. A comprehensive search of online databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of PS + ET in older adults with hip or knee OA. Meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment of the included RCTs were conducted. Six RCTs were included in this systemic review; they had a median (range/total) Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score of 7 (6-9) out of 10, respectively. Five RCTs that enrolled patients who underwent total joint replacement were included in this meta-analysis. The PS + ET group exhibited significant improvements in muscle mass (standard mean difference [SMD] = 1.13, < 0.00001), pain (SMD = 1.36, < 0.00001), and muscle strength (SMD = 0.44, = 0.04). Our findings suggest that PS + ET improves muscle mass, muscle strength, and functional outcomes and reduces pain in older adults with lower-limb OA, particularly in those who have undergone total joint replacement.