Guidelines for Rehabilitation Interventions in Older Adults With Sarcopenia (2025 Edition)

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Sarcopenia, a progressive muscle disease, significantly increases fall, disability, and mortality risks in China's elderly.
• Current clinical practices lack standardized, evidence-based protocols for sarcopenia management.
• A substantial disease burden necessitates improved approaches to sarcopenia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive, evidence-based guideline for sarcopenia rehabilitation in China.
• To address the need for standardized protocols in screening, assessment, and intervention.
• To provide systematic guidance for healthcare professionals managing sarcopenia in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Employed evidence-based guideline development methodology.
• Focused on 23 clinical questions across rehabilitation assessment, prevention, exercise, nutrition, and implementation.
• Synthesized evidence through systematic retrieval, grading, and expert consensus to formulate 58 recommendations.

Main Results:

• Developed 58 evidence-based recommendations covering all aspects of sarcopenia rehabilitation.
• Provided systematic guidance for standardized assessment and comprehensive intervention strategies.
• Identified key areas for future research to advance sarcopenia management.

Conclusions:

• This guideline establishes a standardized, evidence-based framework for sarcopenia rehabilitation in China.
• It empowers healthcare professionals to improve the comprehensive management of sarcopenia in older adults.
• The guideline aims to mitigate the impact of sarcopenia, enhancing health outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens.