Frailty, Muscle Loss, Sarcopenia
Conditions
Brief summary
Launched in April 2015 , Gym Tonic is the first of its kind cross-border exercise-as-medicine partnership between research institutions, business enterprises and service providers from Singapore and Finland. What sets Gym Tonic apart from other exercise programmes is its singular focus on strength training, necessary for frailty prevention and maintenance of functional independence for the elderly. This randomized-control trial is to validate the Gym Tonic programme and data as well measuring its effectiveness in improving physical functions and reversing frailty.
Detailed description
The RCT is conducted in 3 eldercare community centers. In each center, a group of elderly will be randomly sorted into 2 groups. An intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will go through 12 weeks of Gym Tonic progressive training programme. While the control group acts as a control. After the first 12 weeks, the intervention group will be going through another 12 weeks of Gym Tonic maintenance programme, while the control group will be going through the Gym Tonic progressive training programme. Measurements of physical functions, isometric strength and frailty will be conducted pre trial, post 12 weeks and post 24 weeks.
Interventions
DEVICEGym Tonic programme and Gym equipment
12 week progressive training - Strength exercises on 6 pneumatic gym equipment following Gym Tonic's protocol twice a week 12 weeks maintenance training - Strength exercises on 6 pneumatic gym equipment following Gym Tonic's protocol once a week
Sponsors
Singapore Institute of Technology
PulseSync Pte Ltd
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Masking description
Data is anonymized
Intervention model description
Randomised-Control Trial
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Aged 65 years and above * Pre-frail or mildly frail, as measured by the 5 CHS criteria of physical frailty: unintentional weight loss, slowness, weakness, exhaustion, low activity level or FRAIL * Able to ambulate without personal assistance * Enrolled into the 3 sites above
Exclusion criteria
* Bedbound * Terminally ill patients with life expectancy \<12 months * Significant cognitive impairment * Major depression * Wear pacemaker * Severe audiovisual impairment * Any progressive, degenerative neurologic disease * Participating in other interventional studies * Unavailable to participate for the full duration of the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Isometric Muscle Strength (Knee Extension) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | Measured via isometric performance recorder fixed to exercise machine for the right and left leg. |
| Change in Isometric Muscle Strength (Knee Flexion) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | Measured via isometric performance recorder fixed to exercise machine for the right and left leg. |
| Change in Isometric Muscle Strength (Hip Abduction) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | Measured via isometric performance recorder fixed to exercise machine for the above mentioned movement. |
| Change in Isometric Muscle Strength (Hip Adduction) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | Measured via isometric performance recorder fixed to exercise machine for the above mentioned movement. |
| Handgrip Strength | week 0, week 12, week 24 | Subject will be seated, with the arm unsupported, elbow joint at 90 degrees and wrist in a neutral position while holding the hand dynamometer. Subject would be required to squeeze the grip with maximum strength upon command for three attempts. The best result would be recorded. |
| SPPB Balance Test - Feet together (side-by-side) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | To balance in the said position for 10 seconds. Scored point will be determined by number of seconds held. |
| SPPB Balance Test - Semi-Tandem stand | week 0, week 12, week 24 | To balance in the said position for 10 seconds. Scored point will be determined by number of seconds held. |
| SPPB Balance Test - Tandem stand | week 0, week 12, week 24 | To balance in the said position for 10 seconds. Scored point will be determined by number of seconds held. |
| SPPB 5 times sit-to-stand | week 0, week 12, week 24 | Seated with arms folded across chest and with their back against the chair, Stand up fully and sit down fully with the back against the chair as quickly as possible. Scored point will be determined by the time to completely finish 5 repetitions. |
| SPPB Speed Walk Test (Normal) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | To walk 4 metres at participant's usual speed, scored point will be determined based on time taken to complete the 4-Metre walk. |
| SPPB Speed Walk Test (Fast) | week 0, week 12, week 24 | To walk 4 metres at participant's fastest speed, scored point will be determined based on time taken to complete the 4-Metre walk. |
Countries
Singapore
Outcome results
None listed