Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.

<h4>Background</h4>Despite the comparatively high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among young-old adults in the community, there is currently no available and effective social media-based intervention to increase the awareness and change the behavior of the target population to prevent...

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Main Authors: Ya Shi, Emma Stanmore, Lisa McGarrigle, Chris Todd
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303481
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author Ya Shi
Emma Stanmore
Lisa McGarrigle
Chris Todd
author_facet Ya Shi
Emma Stanmore
Lisa McGarrigle
Chris Todd
author_sort Ya Shi
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Despite the comparatively high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among young-old adults in the community, there is currently no available and effective social media-based intervention to increase the awareness and change the behavior of the target population to prevent sarcopenia. Using co-design methodology, we developed a multicomponent intervention strategy of health education and exercise for sarcopenia prevention utilizing the TikTok platform.<h4>Objectives</h4>The primary purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the social media-based intervention to enhance muscle function in community-dwelling young-old adults with possible sarcopenia.<h4>Methods</h4>This protocol outlines the entire research procedure for a prospective single-arm pre-post feasibility study employing a mixed-method design, which will be conducted between May 2024 and September 2024. Thirty-five older adults aged 60-69 years with possible sarcopenia will be recruited from two communities in Changsha, China. Using the TikTok platform, participants will be required to view a total of seven health education videos in the first week, and each video lasts four to six minutes. Then, participants will receive six-week multi-component exercise through TikTok, with at least three sessions/week, 30 minutes/session, and moderate intensity. Data collection will be conducted in baseline, week 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13. The primary outcomes will include evaluating recruitment capability, data collection procedure, outcome measurement, intervention procedures' acceptability, researchers' ability to manage and implement the study, among others. The secondary outcome is to compare standard measures for muscle function (e.g. handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass, physical performance), body composition (e.g. body fat, body mass index, bone mineral), and other measures (e.g. perceived knowledge, personal motivation, behavioral skills). Finally, all participants will be offered a semi-structured interview to assess their in-depth experiences with the intervention and research process.<h4>Discussion</h4>This study will be the first social-media based multicomponent intervention program for community young-old adults with possible sarcopenia to improve their muscle function, awareness and behavior of preventing sarcopenia. Findings will generate new evidence regarding the use of social media in health education for improving awareness of sarcopenia prevention, as well as the feasibility of using social media to influence participants' behavioral changes through exercise. This may help researchers identify ways to optimize acceptability and efficacy of the SHEEP intervention for the targeted population.<h4>Trial registration</h4>ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN17269170, Registered 14 September 2023.
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spelling doaj-art-c40297d3fb7f4d7aa2225f82523154532025-01-08T05:31:45ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e030348110.1371/journal.pone.0303481Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.Ya ShiEmma StanmoreLisa McGarrigleChris Todd<h4>Background</h4>Despite the comparatively high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among young-old adults in the community, there is currently no available and effective social media-based intervention to increase the awareness and change the behavior of the target population to prevent sarcopenia. Using co-design methodology, we developed a multicomponent intervention strategy of health education and exercise for sarcopenia prevention utilizing the TikTok platform.<h4>Objectives</h4>The primary purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the social media-based intervention to enhance muscle function in community-dwelling young-old adults with possible sarcopenia.<h4>Methods</h4>This protocol outlines the entire research procedure for a prospective single-arm pre-post feasibility study employing a mixed-method design, which will be conducted between May 2024 and September 2024. Thirty-five older adults aged 60-69 years with possible sarcopenia will be recruited from two communities in Changsha, China. Using the TikTok platform, participants will be required to view a total of seven health education videos in the first week, and each video lasts four to six minutes. Then, participants will receive six-week multi-component exercise through TikTok, with at least three sessions/week, 30 minutes/session, and moderate intensity. Data collection will be conducted in baseline, week 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13. The primary outcomes will include evaluating recruitment capability, data collection procedure, outcome measurement, intervention procedures' acceptability, researchers' ability to manage and implement the study, among others. The secondary outcome is to compare standard measures for muscle function (e.g. handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass, physical performance), body composition (e.g. body fat, body mass index, bone mineral), and other measures (e.g. perceived knowledge, personal motivation, behavioral skills). Finally, all participants will be offered a semi-structured interview to assess their in-depth experiences with the intervention and research process.<h4>Discussion</h4>This study will be the first social-media based multicomponent intervention program for community young-old adults with possible sarcopenia to improve their muscle function, awareness and behavior of preventing sarcopenia. Findings will generate new evidence regarding the use of social media in health education for improving awareness of sarcopenia prevention, as well as the feasibility of using social media to influence participants' behavioral changes through exercise. This may help researchers identify ways to optimize acceptability and efficacy of the SHEEP intervention for the targeted population.<h4>Trial registration</h4>ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN17269170, Registered 14 September 2023.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303481
spellingShingle Ya Shi
Emma Stanmore
Lisa McGarrigle
Chris Todd
Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
PLoS ONE
title Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
title_full Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
title_fullStr Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
title_full_unstemmed Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
title_short Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
title_sort social media based health education plus exercise program sheep to improve muscle function among young old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community a feasibility study protocol
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303481
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