The effects of vitamin D combined with thermotherapy and resistance exercise on inflammatory factors, thyroid hormones and MSTN in elderly patients with sarcopenia

This study investigated the impact of vitamin D (VD) combined with thermotherapy and resistance exercise (RE) on elderly patients with sarcopenia, thereby offering novel insights into evidence-based management strategies for sarcopenia. 140 sarcopenia patients were admitted between May 2023 and August 2024. Participants were randomized to receive either VD combined with thermotherapy and resistance exercise (treatment group) or thermotherapy and resistance exercise alone (control group). Skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength were evaluated before and after the intervention using a body composition analyzer and a hand dynamometer. In addition, the levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, inflammatory factors and thyroid hormones were measured. Both groups exhibited significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength and glucose/lipid metabolism post-treatment, with the treatment group demonstrating superior enhancements (P<0.05). After treatment, the level of inflammatory factors in the treatment group was lower, while the level of thyroid hormone was higher (P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and myostatin (MSTN) in both groups (P<0.05). The combination of VD with thermotherapy and RE effectively enhances skeletal muscle function, suppresses inflammatory responses and regulates endocrine function in elderly patients with sarcopenia.