What this means
This study is a plan to compare two treatments for weak muscles and bones in older adults. It has not reported results, so it does not yet show which treatment works better.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the registry listing.
- Status
- Recruiting
- Who can join
- Ages 65 and over · 90 adults aged 65 or older who are pre-frail
- Where
- 1 site
The science
- Registered title
- TCM Formula vs. HMB in Pre-Frail Elders: Muscle Strength and Bone Status
- Trial ID
- NCT07597850 ↗
- Phase
- PHASE 2
- Study type
- interventional
- Conditions
- Pre-Frailty, Sarcopenia, Muscle Atrophy or Weakness, Osteoporosis, Aging
- What is tested
- TCM Formula, HMB (beta-Hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate)
- Sponsor
- Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH)
- Ages
- 65 Years to no maximum
- Dates
- First posted May 19, 2026 · updated May 19, 2026
Registry summary
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a standardized Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula versus beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on muscle strength and bone health in pre-frail older adults . Pre-frailty is a critical stage where functional decline may still be reversed through proper intervention. The study will enroll 90 participants aged 65 years or older who meet the criteria for pre-frailty. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the TCM group (receiving a standardized herbal powder formula) or the HMB group (receiving nutritional supplement tablets) for 24 weeks . The primary objective is to evaluate the change in handgrip strength from baseline to Week 12 . Researchers will also assess changes in skeletal muscle mass, bone mineral density, and overall physical performance . The goal is to determine if the TCM formula is an effective alternative or complementary intervention for managing geriatric frailty.
Sites (1)
- Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan