Medical rehabilitation of patients with sarcopenia: a systematic review

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Abstract

Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder characterized by decreased muscle strength and muscle mass, followed impaired physical performance. According to the EWGSOP2 (2019), reduced muscle strength is the primary diagnostic criterion, whereas assessment of physical performance determines disease severity. The high prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults and individuals with chronic diseases justifies the need for development of individualized, multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies aimed at promoting timely and effective support for healthy aging.

AIM: The work aimed to identify current evidence regarding the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation in patients with sarcopenia.

A search of Russian and international scientific data was conducted in the following databases: eLIBRARY.RU, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Searches were performed between November and December 2025, covering publications from 2010 to 2025.

Multimodal rehabilitation programs based on progressive resistance training combined with nutritional support aimed at optimizing protein intake and correcting vitamin D deficiency have demonstrated effectiveness. Additional implementation of aerobic exercise and balance training contributes to improved functional outcomes and reduced fall risk. Personalization of interventions with ongoing monitoring of muscle strength and physical performance is an essential component of the rehabilitation process. Being a substantial challenge in contemporary medicine, sarcopenia requires further thorough investigation with careful patient stratification to ensure data homogeneity. Unified rehabilitation protocols for patients with sarcopenia cannot be established, as different phenotypes require individualized medical rehabilitation programs tailored to etiological factors, age, comorbidities, and complications. A key principle of medical rehabilitation in sarcopenia is the combination of individually prescribed resistance and aerobic exercise, balance training, and mandatory correction of nutritional deficiencies. Involvement of relevant specialists to address the underlying cause of sarcopenia, as well as psychological support and occupational therapy when indicated, is also essential.

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About the authors

Ekaterina S. Levitskaya

Rostov State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: es.med@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6165-3943
SPIN-code: 5200-5903

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Associate Professor

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Mikhail M. Batiushin

Rostov State Medical University

Email: batjushin-m@rambler.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2733-4524
SPIN-code: 3383-3143

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Svetlana V. Orlova

Rostov State Medical University

Email: orlova_sv@rostgmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-5534-0932
SPIN-code: 1813-7459

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Associate Professor

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Zuhra M. Nalgieva

Rostov State Medical University

Email: zmnalgieva@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3932-637X
SPIN-code: 6977-8683
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Susana S. Sarkisyan

Rostov State Medical University

Email: sarkisian.susana@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8325-3668
SPIN-code: 6684-1577
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Nikolay B. Bondarenko

Rostov State Medical University

Email: n.bondarenko61@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7251-1809
SPIN-code: 8535-4557

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Aleksandr Yu. Blinov

Rostov State Medical University

Email: blinovrostgmu@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0006-6423-1619
SPIN-code: 5652-6422
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Diana A. Osipyan

Rostov State Medical University

Email: osipyanda@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-3964-7404
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Valeria V. Gulchenko

Rostov State Medical University

Email: gulchenko128@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-8911-4059
SPIN-code: 6974-7872
Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

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СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
Регистрационный номер и дата принятия решения о регистрации СМИ: серия ЭЛ № ФС 77 - 80650 от 15.03.2021 г.