Electroacupuncture Plus Exercise for Sarcopenia in Older Adults: Protocol for a Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded Trial

Wenzhe Wu,1,* Xiaohan Huang,2,* Lianqiang Fang,3 Hantong Hu,3 Dexiong Han3 1Cadre Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2The Third Clinical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hantong Hu, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Dexiong Han, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: The therapeutic effect of conventional therapies (eg, resistance training, nutritional support) for treating sarcopenia show limited efficacy in older individuals with multiple comorbidities. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) combined with standardized exercise therapy improves walking ability and other functional outcomes in older patients with sarcopenia compared to exercise-alone therapy.Methods: This randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial will include 122 older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia. Participants are randomly allocated to either the EA plus exercise group or exercise-only group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will follow 12-week Otago Exercise Program, with the EA plus exercise group receiving additional EA treatment targeting lower limb muscle flaccidity. Primary outcome is the Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass (ASMM). Secondary outcomes include the 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. ASMM is selected as the primary endpoint due to its direct relevance as a core diagnostic criterion for sarcopenia and its objective measurement of muscle mass changes. All outcome measures will be evaluated before treatment, at week 6 and week 12 during the treatment course, and at the end of 12-week follow-up (week 24). Adverse events will be monitored during the trial.Discussion: This trial will provide valuable insights into the combined use of electroacupuncture and exercise for improving walking ability and other functional outcomes in older individuals with sarcopenia. The results could potentially inform clinical practices and offer a new therapeutic option for managing sarcopenia.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT05431010.Keywords: electroacupuncture, exercise, sarcopenia, randomized controlled trial, study protocol, walking ability