Effects of Exercise Therapy and Nutrition Therapy on Patients with Possible Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in a Recovery Rehabilitation Ward

We compared the effects of an exercise intervention with that of exercise combined with nutrition therapy in patients with possible malnutrition and sarcopenia admitted to a recovery rehabilitation ward, and we examined the differences in the patients’ physical function and activities of daily living (ADLs). There were 16 patients in the Exercise group with exercise therapy and ADL exercises, and 14 patients in the Combined intervention group with exercise therapy, ADL exercises, and nutrition therapy. The survey items were body weight, body mass index, grip strength, lower-leg circumference, gait speed, and ADLs, each of which was measured at the baseline and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and at discharge. Significant improvements in grip strength were observed in the Combined intervention group as follows: at 4 weeks>at 2 weeks (p<0.05), and at discharge>baseline and 2 weeks (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in the Exercise group, and an interaction was recognized in both groups. Comprehensive rehabilitation including nutrition therapy is necessary for patients with possible malnutrition and/or sarcopenia, as our results indicate that nutrition therapy in addition to exercise therapy has the effect of promoting improvements of physical function in such patients.