Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Muscle Strength, Gait and Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) 2011-12, Vol.59 (12), p.2291-2300
• Main Authors: Muir, Susan W., Montero-Odasso, Manuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; balance; Biological and medical sciences; Dietary Supplements; gait; Gait - drug effects; General aspects; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; muscle strength; Muscle Strength - drug effects; Muscular system; Older people; Postural Balance - drug effects; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; randomized controlled trials; Systematic review; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - administration & dosage; Vitamin D - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0002-8614; 1532-5415
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03733.x

Objectives To systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength, gait, and balance in older adults. Design Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Setting MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, bibliographies of selected articles, and previous systematic reviews were searched between January 1980 and November 2010 for eligible articles. Participants Older adults (≥60) participating in randomized controlled trials of the effect of supplemental vitamin D without an exercise intervention on muscle strength, gait, and balance. Measurements Data were independently extracted, and study quality was evaluated. Meta‐analysis using a fixed‐effects model was performed and the I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Results Of 714 potentially relevant articles, 13 met the inclusion criteria. In the pooled analysis, vitamin D supplementation yielded a standardized mean difference of −0.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.39 to −0.01, P = .04, I2 = 0%) for reduced postural sway, −0.19 (95% CI = −0.35 to −0.02, P = .03, I2 = 0%) for decreased time to complete the Timed Up and Go Test, and 0.05 (95% CI = −0.11 to 0.20, P = .04, I2 = 0%) for lower extremity strength gain. Regarding dosing frequency regimen, only one study demonstrated a beneficial effect on balance with a single large dose. All studies with daily doses of 800 IU or more demonstrated beneficial effects on balance and muscle strength. Conclusion Supplemental vitamin D with daily doses of 800 to 1,000 IU consistently demonstrated beneficial effects on strength and balance. An effect on gait was not demonstrated, although further evaluation is recommended.