Effects of digital-based interventions on the outcomes of the eligibility criteria for sarcopenia in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: While the digital-based interventions targeting older adults to prevent age-related health problems such as sarcopenia have grown rapidly in recent years, there are no meta-analyses indicating synthesized pooled estimates. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of digital-based interventions on sarcopenia-related measures, including physical performance and muscle mass, in healthy community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Systematic searches were performed on MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies published up to 31 March 2023. The mean difference with a 95 % confidence interval was calculated. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0. The GRADE criteria were used to assess evidence certainty. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials with 742 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Handgrip strength, usual walking speed, five times sit-to-stand performance, and 30-second chair stand test showed significant enhancements with the digital-based interventions. However, there were no significant effects of digital-based interventions in appendicular muscle mass. The overall evidence certainty was low. CONCLUSIONS: Although digital-based interventions for healthy older adults are effective in improving physical functions, evidence certainty is low. Additional randomized controlled trials are thus required to further validate the findings.