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Not yet recruitingNCT06994598Updated May 29, 2025

Investigation of Respiratory Muscle Sarcopenia in Geriatric Individuals

An observational study in Geriatric, Sarcopenia and Diaphragm, sponsored by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-29.

Sponsored by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Aug 2025, 1 year 2 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Study type
Observational
Model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
85
Ages
65 Years and older
Sex
All
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Study summary

The increase in the elderly population worldwide necessitates further research on age-related physiological changes and health problems related to these changes in geriatric individuals. One of these problems, sarcopenia, is a syndrome characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance due to aging (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2019). Sarcopenia affects not only the extremity muscles but also the respiratory muscles, significantly reducing the individual's functional capacity and quality of life (Shafiee et al., 2017). Sarcopenia is a progressive and widespread loss of skeletal muscles, characterized by a decrease in muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance. Although it is usually seen in older individuals, it can also occur in people with certain diseases or who lead a sedentary lifestyle. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) has developed a guideline for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and determination of its severity (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2019). In line with this guideline, the EWGSOP considers sarcopenia in three basic stages: pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010). Pre-sarcopenia is the stage in which muscle mass is low but muscle strength or physical performance is not yet affected. Sarcopenia is the stage in which low muscle mass is accompanied by decreased muscle strength or low physical performance. Severe sarcopenia is defined as the most advanced stage in which all these criteria are met (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010). Respiratory muscle sarcopenia is defined as muscle fiber atrophy and weakness in the respiratory muscles. The Japanese Respiratory Sarcopenia Study Group defines this condition as whole-body sarcopenia with low respiratory muscle mass, decreased respiratory muscle strength, and/or respiratory dysfunction (Nagano et al., 2021). Kera et al. (2019) evaluated respiratory muscle sarcopenia according to the peak expiratory flow rate value. However, whole-body sarcopenia and respiratory muscle strength are considered important parameters in the definition and diagnosis of respiratory muscle sarcopenia. It is reported that the rate of respiratory muscle sarcopenia is higher in the presence of sarcopenia (Nagano et al., 2021). Sarcopenic respiratory failure is diagnosed in the presence of sarcopenia accompanied by functional disability, while individuals without functional disability but at risk for respiratory muscle sarcopenia are considered "at risk of sarcopenic respiratory failure" (Nagano et al., 2021). Sarcopenia is thought to be associated with insulin resistance and oxidative stress, leading to decreased muscle strength and muscle mass, as well as muscle atrophy (Ding et al., 2019). Respiratory muscles may also be affected in a similar way. Thus, weakening of respiratory muscles may lead to decreased respiratory function and decreased quality of life. In the current literature, studies examining the effects of aging on respiratory muscles are limited. Therefore, determining the potential effects of aging on respiratory muscles and evaluating respiratory muscle sarcopenia in this context may provide an important contribution to the development of new approaches and the literature.

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Conditions studied

  • Geriatric
  • Sarcopenia
  • Diaphragm

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03

In context

Sarcopenia

1,206 studies on the registry are indexed under Sarcopenia; 401 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 85 is below the median of 120 across 419 observational studies indexed under Sarcopenia.

Browse Sarcopenia studies →

Lead sponsor

Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi is the lead sponsor of 133 studies on the registry; 55 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
65 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Volunteers aged 65 and over.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being 65 years of age or older.
  • Being clinically stable
  • Being able to adapt to tests (visual, cognitive, cooperative)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Those with neurological and/or musculoskeletal problems that may affect the study
  • Presence of severe joint contracture or painful ulcers that may affect muscle strength measurement and walking
  • Presence of serious infection or sepsis
  • Having a known additional rheumatologic disease diagnosis
  • Any stage of cancer
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Study design

Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
85 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Geriatric Individuals
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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Respiratory Muscle Sarcopenia Assessment

    The diagnosis of respiratory muscle sarcopenia will also be made by combining the results of secondary measurements. Participants included in the study: Hand grip strength \<27 kg for men and \<16 kg for women, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (Skeletal muscle mass (SMM)\<20 kg for men and \< 15 kg for women) the participant is diagnosed with sarcopenia. They will also be diagnosed with a frailty phenotype based on the results of the Timed Stand and Walk Test, the 4 meter walk test and the 5 Repetition Sit and Stand Test. Participants diagnosed with sarcopenia will be diagnosed with respiratory muscle sarcopenia if respiratory muscle weakness is also detected.

    Time frame: Baseline

Secondary outcomes

  1. Demographic and Clinical Information

    Information on age, height (meter), body weight (kg), gender, educational status, occupation, medication use, exercise habits and disease will be evaluated. These data will be recorded on pre-prepared forms.

    Time frame: Baseline

  2. Body composition

    Body mass and body composition will be measured using bioelectrical impedance method. The variables to be assessed are body mass index (BMI = body mass (kg)/height2 (m)2 ), fat mass (pFM) expressed as a percentage of body mass, fat-free mass (FFM) expressed in kilograms, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) expressed in kilograms. Data will be collected with a bioelectrical impedance device and recorded on pre-prepared forms. The measurement will be made with a Tanita brand device. All measurement results will be obtained from the measurement report given by the device.

    Time frame: Baseline

  3. Grip Force Measurement

    The hand muscle grip strength of the individuals will be measured with a hand dynamometer. During the measurement, the position recommended by the American Association of Hand Therapists (ASHT); the participant will be in an upright sitting position and no arm support will be allowed on the sitting surface. The elbow and knee angle will be set to 90°. The wrist will be held without deviation. The measurement will be performed 3 times with an interval of 10 seconds and the highest value will be used in the study.

    Time frame: Baseline

  4. 5 Repetition Sit and Stand Test

    An armless chair with a straight back support and a rigid seat at a height of 48 cm from the floor will be fixed to the wall. Participants will be asked to sit on the chair and come forward in the chair until their feet are flat on the floor. Participants will be asked to do a "stand and sit" movement once with their arms crossed across their chest. The test will be terminated for those who cannot complete the task or need assistance. Those who successfully complete the first task will be asked to perform five consecutive stand and sit as fast as possible. The timing is started with the command start and stopped at the end of the fifth posture. Our participants test scores will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch.

    Time frame: Baseline

  5. 4 Meter Walking Speed Test (4MWT)

    4MWT is a measure of walking speed, a vital sign of mobility and functionality. In older adults, walking speed is a clinical indicator of conditions such as frailty and sarcopenia. Participants were instructed to start walking at their normal speed 2 m behind the "start point" and continue until they passed the "end point". Using a stopwatch, the time taken for each participant to walk the 4 m distance between the "start" and "end" point will be measured. This will be used to calculate walking speed (distance/time).

    Time frame: Baseline

  6. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

    This functional test measures the time it takes for an individual to stand up from a standard chair, walk 3 m at normal speed, turn around, walk back to the starting point and sit down. Using a stopwatch, participants test scores are recorded in seconds.

    Time frame: Baseline

  7. Respiratory muscle strength

    Intraoral pressure will be measured with a measuring device. They are easily applicable and simple measurements. Maximal voluntary inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP) are the most commonly used noninvasive methods to measure respiratory muscle strength. It is based on Müller (maximal inspiration) and Valsalva (maximal expiration).

    Time frame: Baseline

  8. 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT):

    The 6-minute walk test is used as a simple measure of aerobic exercise and functional capacity. During this test, a 30-meter track with a hard surface is walked at a normal pace for six minutes. This track is marked every 3 meters and a cone is placed at the end of this 30-meter track and the same track is returned around it. During the test, participants must walk at a speed appropriate to their condition and are allowed to stop or slow down if they wish and continue walking as soon as possible. Initial oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure are measured. In addition, the Borg scale rating is used for shortness of breath and fatigue.

    Time frame: Baseline

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Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

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References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 29, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06994598
Lead sponsor
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
Responsible party
Muhammed İhsan KODAK (assistant professor, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi) — Principal investigator
First posted
May 29, 2025
Start date
May 2025 (estimated)
Primary completion
Aug 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 2025 (estimated)
Last update
May 29, 2025

Study contacts

Muhammed İhsan KODAK, PhD
Contact
mihsankodak@ahievran.edu.tr
05532333661

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Apr 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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