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SarcopeniaNCT07345832

The Effect of Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation Via ICOPE on Sarcopenia in Older Adults (VELO-S)

A study testing Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S) in people with Sarcopenia and Sarcopenia in Elderly, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Sarcopenia prevention and management are highly prioritised goals in the Healthy Ageing agenda. The study aims to: 1) evaluate the effects of the digital-enhanced, volunteer-engaged collaborative care pathway to improve sarcopenia, reduce fall risk, and increase health-related quality of life (HRQL) among… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 60 years and older
What is being tested?
Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
200 participants
Where
1 siteHong Kong
Study dates
1 Feb 2026to 30 Sep 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 60 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • aged 60 or above
  • Pseudo-Sarcopenia as indicated by a score on SARC-CaIF ≥11, OR sarcopenia according relative BIA-based appendicular skeletal mass/ height (Men: <7 kg/m2; women: <5.7 kg/m2), OR handgrip strength on dominant hand (male <28 kg, female <18 kg) (Chen et al., 2025)
  • the ability to use a smartphone, electronic tablet, or computer
  • consent to participate

Who cannot join

  • having medical conditions contradictory to physical activity including unstable cardiovascular and orthopaedic conditions
  • engaging in other structured health promotion program involving physical activity and nutritional enhancement

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Doris Sau Fung YU, PhD contact

852-3917-6319

dyu1@hku.hk

Hong Kong1 site, 1 recruiting

  • The University of Hong Kong

    Hong Kong

    Doris Sau Fung YU, PhD, 852-3917-6319, dyu1@hku.hk

    Recruiting

Other trials in Hong Kong

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation Via ICOPE on Sarcopenia in Older Adults (VELO-S): A Randomised Controlled Trial

Sarcopenia prevention and management are highly prioritised goals in the Healthy Ageing agenda. The study aims to: 1) evaluate the effects of the digital-enhanced, volunteer-engaged collaborative care pathway to improve sarcopenia, reduce fall risk, and increase health-related quality of life (HRQL) among community-dwelling older adults with risk of, or diagnosed with, sarcopenia; 2) evaluate whether the volunteers who received health coach capacity training and supported the intervention experienced health benefits across time; 3) explore the engagement experiences and perceived effects of elderly participants with sarcopenia during the program; 4) evaluate the intervention implementation process and effects from the perspectives of social care workers.

Read the detailed description

Sarcopenia-an age-related, progressive syndrome characterised by reduced skeletal muscle strength and mass/quality with impaired physical performance-has become a key modifiable determinant of frailty, falls, disability, hospitalisation, and mortality among community-dwelling older adults. In Hong Kong, approximately 9% of adults aged 65 and above are diagnosed with sarcopenia, indicating a substantial community burden. Beyond functional loss, sarcopenia is associated with increased healthcare utilisation and costs, evidence suggests higher risks of hospital admission and longer length of stay among older adults with sarcopenia, contributing to considerable economic impact.

A key gap in sarcopenia management: many interventions and service models have limited capacity to sustain lifestyle behavioural changes over time.

To address the above gaps, the VELO-S project proposes a 12-week, volunteer-engaged lifestyle optimisation programme grounded in WHO ICOPE and delivered through an ICOPE-based critical pathway for nutrition and exercise. VELO-S is enabled by a digital platform that contains an exhaustive checklist of person-centred risk factors and corresponding, precise lifestyle activity recommendations for each care pathway (nutrition and physical activity). In parallel, VELO-S incorporates goal-oriented empowerment and volunteer-enhanced interactive lifestyle empowerment workshops, targeting the sustainability mechanisms required to deter sarcopenia progression in community-dwelling older adults.

This overall study aims to evaluate the effects and implementation of VELO-S among community-dwelling older adults with pseudo-sarcopenia or sarcopenia.

The objectives of this study are to (1) examine the effectiveness of a 12-week VELO-S intervention compared to an attention control in improving appendicular skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, physical mobility function, risk of sarcopenia, frailty, nutrition, physical activity, and health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia risk or sarcopenia at 12 weeks post-intervention and 24 weeks follow-up; (2) to examine changes in health-related quality of life and mental health among volunteers who participated in the health coach capacity training at 12 weeks post-intervention delivery and 24 weeks follow-up, compared to baseline; (3) to explore the engagement experiences and perceived effects of elderly participants with sarcopenia during the program; (4) to explore the perspectives of social care workers on their experience on intervention effects and implementation process.

Being tested
Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S), Attention control
Keywords
sarcopenia, elderly, frailty, fall prevention, malnutrition, health-related quality of life, digital intervention
Medical subject headings
Sarcopenia, Frailty, Malnutrition

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S)Behavioural

    A series of interactive lifestyle empowerment workshops will be conducted at community centres to translate the care plan into sustainable behavioural changes. One brief orientation and strategic planning and individualised care planning session, five volunteer-enhanced interactive workshops led by nurses will be delivered to equip older adults with knowledge and practical skills to manage sarcopenia.

    Participants will be assisted by a corresponding health coach throughout the 12-week intervention workshop.

  • Attention controlBehavioural

    The attention control group receives six session meeting covering topics unrelated to sarcopenia, it will be delivered in a small-group with comparable duration and frequency of contact and engagement to those in the intervention group

Study groups in NCT07345832
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S)ExperimentalThis digital program incorporates a 12-week, volunteer-engaged lifestyle optimisation programme grounded in WHO ICOPE and delivered through an ICOPE-based critical pathway for nutrition and exercise.
Receives: Behavioral: Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S)
Attention controlActive comparatorTo control for the non-specific effects of receiving attention and social interaction on outcomes, participants in the attention control group will receive an education protocol that is unrelated to sarcoepnia, with comparable duration and frequency of contact and engagement to those in the intervention group ensuring comparable exposure to social engagement and attention. Educational materials will be distributed to participants.
Receives: Behavioral: Attention control

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI)

    Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) measured by Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  2. Handgrip Strength

    Handgrip strength will be measured by a hydraulic hand dynamometer from dominant hand, taking the highest value among 3 measurements. Low muscle strength is defined if male <28kg, and femal <18kg.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  3. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)

    Physical function will be measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which combines balance test, gait velocity and chair stand. SPPB score ranges from 0-12, higher score better physical performance. Low physical function is defined by SPPB score ≤9.

    Measured: baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 3 months (T2)

Secondary outcomes (9)

  1. Sarcopenia and calf circumference scale (SARC-CalF)

    Sarcopenia and calf circumference scale (SARC-CalF) includes 5 items (strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, Falls, calf circumference). The score ranges from 0 to 20 points, with a score ≥ 11 points suggestive of sarcopenia.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  2. 11-item Edmonton Frail Scale

    The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) is scored from 0 to 17, with higher scores indicating greater frailty. An EFS score ≥ 8 is generally used as the cutoff for frailty. Scores 6-7 flag patients who are at risk.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  3. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test

    Measured by the Timed Up and Go Test in unit of second. A shorter completion time indicates better mobility and balance.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  4. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)

    Measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (scores range from 0 to 30), with a lower score indicating a higher risk of malnutrition.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  5. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-Short)

    Measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire is a self-report measure of physical activity. Frenquency and time spent on walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity will be reported. More time spent on physical actiivty indicating a higher physical activity level.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  6. The EuroQoL-5D-5L instruments

    Assess the health-related quality of life to generate the utility score for cost-effective analysis. Including the status on mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression using a 5-level response set, with "unable to" levels mean a worse situation.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  7. The EuroQoL-5D-5L Visual Analog Scale

    Assess the health-related quality of lifeby a 0-100 scores Visual Analog Scale to measure perceived health, higher scores mean a better outcome.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)

  8. Lipid Biomarkers

    Assess the comprehensive lipid panel including triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein through capillary blood samples collected via fingertip puncture

    Measured: Baseline (T0)

  9. Metabolic Biomarkers

    Assess the fasting glucose through capillary blood samples collected via fingertip puncture

    Measured: Baseline (T0)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Jan 2026
  2. Study start1 Feb 2026
  3. Primary completion30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This RCT randomised 200 older adults at risk of, or diagnosed with, sarcopenia to receive the digital pathway intervention or to an attention control group
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
200 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07345832
Sponsor's protocol ID
VELO-S
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
7 Jan 2026
Last updated
8 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Yang Y, Pan N, Luo J, Liu Y, Ossowski Z. Exercise and Nutrition for Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Subgroup Analysis by Population Characteristics. Nutrients. 2025 Jul 17;17(14):2342. doi: 10.3390/nu17142342.

    PubMed 40732966

  • Wu S, Nan J, Chang J, Jiang D, Cao Z, Zhou S, Feng H, Xiao LD. Adherence to exercise intervention for community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2025 Mar 28;54(4):afaf094. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afaf094.

    PubMed 40253683

  • Wang Z, Xu X, Gao S, Wu C, Song Q, Shi Z, Su J, Zang J. Effects of Internet-Based Nutrition and Exercise Interventions on the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia in the Elderly. Nutrients. 2022 Jun 14;14(12):2458. doi: 10.3390/nu14122458.

    PubMed 35745187

  • Vijayananthan A, Nawawi O. The importance of Good Clinical Practice guidelines and its role in clinical trials. Biomed Imaging Interv J. 2008 Jan;4(1):e5. doi: 10.2349/biij.4.1.e5. Epub 2008 Jan 1.

    PubMed 21614316

  • Tighe SA, Ball K, Kensing F, Kayser L, Rawstorn JC, Maddison R. Toward a Digital Platform for the Self-Management of Noncommunicable Disease: Systematic Review of Platform-Like Interventions. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Oct 28;22(10):e16774. doi: 10.2196/16774.

    PubMed 33112239

  • Sum G, Lau LK, Jabbar KA, Lun P, George PP, Munro YL, Ding YY. The World Health Organization (WHO) Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Framework: A Narrative Review on Its Adoption Worldwide and Lessons Learnt. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 22;20(1):154. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010154.

    PubMed 36612480

  • Rodrigues B, Judice PB, Marques A, Carraca EV, Lopes L, Sousa-Sa E, Encantado J, Videira-Silva A, Cliff DP, Mendes R, Santos R; QMov24h working group. 24-hour Movement Questionnaire (QMov24h) for adults: development process and measurement properties. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2024 Oct 9;21(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12966-024-01667-7.

    PubMed 39385225

  • Petermann-Rocha F, Gray SR, Pell JP, Ho FK, Celis-Morales C. The joint association of sarcopenia and frailty with incidence and mortality health outcomes: A prospective study. Clin Nutr. 2021 Apr;40(4):2427-2434. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.10.044. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

    PubMed 33189425

  • Perna S, Francis MD, Bologna C, Moncaglieri F, Riva A, Morazzoni P, Allegrini P, Isu A, Vigo B, Guerriero F, Rondanelli M. Performance of Edmonton Frail Scale on frailty assessment: its association with multi-dimensional geriatric conditions assessed with specific screening tools. BMC Geriatr. 2017 Jan 4;17(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12877-016-0382-3.

    PubMed 28049443

  • Pek K, Tan CN, Yew S, Yeo A, Lim JP, Chew J, Lim WS. Letter to the Editor: COVID-19 Pandemic Control Measures: Impact on Social Frailty and Health Outcomes in Non-Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults. J Nutr Health Aging. 2021;25(6):816-818. doi: 10.1007/s12603-021-1635-1. No abstract available.

    PubMed 34179939

  • Park SH, Lee H. Effectiveness of Combined Exercise and Nutrition Interventions in Preventing and Improving Sarcopenia in Frail or Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Res Gerontol Nurs. 2023 Nov-Dec;16(6):312-320. doi: 10.3928/19404921-20230817-03. Epub 2023 Aug 25.

    PubMed 37616483

  • Meza-Valderrama D, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Pena YC, Ramirez-Fuentes C, Munoz-Redondo E, Morgado-Perez A, Ortiz-Agurto N, Finis-Gallardo P, Marco E. Resistance Training and Nutritional Supplementation in Older Adults with Sarcopenia after Acute Disease: A Feasibility Study. Nutrients. 2024 Sep 10;16(18):3053. doi: 10.3390/nu16183053.

    PubMed 39339653

  • Malmstrom TK, Morley JE. SARC-F: a simple questionnaire to rapidly diagnose sarcopenia. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013 Aug;14(8):531-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.05.018. Epub 2013 Jun 25. No abstract available.

    PubMed 23810110

  • Lee D, Kim M, Won CW. Common and different characteristics among combinations of physical frailty and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2022 Jan;22(1):42-49. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14314. Epub 2021 Nov 23.

    PubMed 34816568

  • Holtrop JS, Estabrooks PA, Gaglio B, Harden SM, Kessler RS, King DK, Kwan BM, Ory MG, Rabin BA, Shelton RC, Glasgow RE. Understanding and applying the RE-AIM framework: Clarifications and resources. J Clin Transl Sci. 2021 May 14;5(1):e126. doi: 10.1017/cts.2021.789. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 34367671

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Volunteer-Engaged Lifestyle Optimisation via ICOPE for Sarcopenia program (VELO-S) in people with Sarcopenia and Sarcopenia in Elderly, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Doris Sau Fung YU, PhD (852-3917-6319, dyu1@hku.hk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) (time frame: Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07345832, which also lists 25 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Sep 2026.

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