Electroacupuncture Plus Exercise for Sarcopenia in Older Adults: Protocol for a Randomized, Controlled,
Wenzhe Wu1, Xiaohan Huang2, Lianqiang Fang3
1Cadre Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Clinical Interventions in Aging
|October 30, 2025
Summary
Electroacupuncture combined with exercise therapy shows promise for improving walking ability and muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia. This approach may offer a novel therapeutic option beyond conventional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related muscle loss, presents significant challenges in older adults, particularly those with comorbidities.
- Conventional therapies like resistance training and nutritional support demonstrate limited efficacy in managing sarcopenia.
- There is a need for novel therapeutic strategies to improve functional outcomes in individuals with sarcopenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with standardized exercise therapy in improving functional outcomes in older patients with sarcopenia.
- To compare the effects of EA plus exercise versus exercise-alone therapy on walking ability and muscle mass.
- To evaluate secondary functional outcomes and safety profiles of the combined therapy.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial involving 122 older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia.
- Participants were randomly assigned to either an EA plus exercise group or an exercise-only group.
- Both groups underwent a 12-week Otago Exercise Program, with the EA group receiving additional EA treatment targeting lower limb muscle flaccidity.
Main Results:
- Primary outcome measure is Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass (ASMM).
- Secondary outcome measures include Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, 6-minute walk test distance, calf circumference, grip strength, and knee flexion/extension strength.
- Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24 (follow-up).
Conclusions:
- The study aims to provide valuable insights into the combined use of electroacupuncture and exercise for sarcopenia management.
- Results may inform clinical practices and offer a new therapeutic option for improving walking ability and functional outcomes in older adults with sarcopenia.
- Adverse events will be monitored throughout the trial to ensure safety.
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