Effect of the combination of branched chain amino acid and exercise therapy on physical functions in the patients in a convalescent rehabilitation hospital

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20159
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: Takashi Ikeda 昭和大学, 保健医療学部, 准教授 (80783381)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 分枝鎖アミノ酸 / 回復期リハビリテーション / 実現可能性 / 筋輝度 / 筋内脂肪浸潤 / 時間栄養学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The feasibility and optimal timing of a combination of exercise with BCAAs were studied in a convalescent rehabilitation hospital. The methods were 1) a crossover trial in which orthopaedic patients received either BCAAs or placebo once a day immediately after rehabilitation for one month and the remaining one for the next month, and the effects of the combined therapy on muscle strength, muscle mass and physical function were investigated. The results confirmed the feasibility, which is the reproducibility of the effects, on muscle luminosity, which reflects muscle quality. 2) The timing of BCAA intake in stroke patients at breakfast or immediately after afternoon rehabilitation was examined to determine which was more effective. A reduction in body fat mass was obtained in the breakfast group, and muscle mass was maintained in both.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション栄養

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

要介護高齢者の増加が喫緊の社会課題となって久しい。サルコペニア・フレイルの診療ガイドラインでも運動と栄養の併用が推奨されている。潜在的にサルコペニアなどを併存しやすい回復期リハ期の運動器疾患や脳卒中患者に対して、BCAAを併用することでの効果の再現性や至適な摂取タイミングが明らかになることは、より効果的・効率的なリハの実施による早期退院と医療費の削減に寄与すると考える。