Nano-Learning for Improving Compliance Among Older Adults With Sarcopenia

Feasibility and Outcomes of Nano-Learning for Improving Compliance With Physical and Nutritional Guidelines and Reducing Late-Life Depression Among Older Adults With Sarcopenia in a Rural Province

Empirical evidence suggests that the use of short videos is associated with decreased feelings of loneliness and social isolation, thereby reducing depression among older adults . Platforms that allow users to showcase aspects of their own lives also serve as a significant avenue for achieving "happiness in old age" and enhancing social interactions with acquaintances . Therefore, this study aims to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of nano-learning interventions, particularly in the context of sarcopenia, where addressing physical and psychological well-being has become increasingly critical among this cohort.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Depression; Sarcopenia; Learning; Lack of (Specific); Older Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Nano-Learning interventional program

Detailed Description

Nanolearning is an innovative pedagogical strategy that delivers content in highly focused, ultra-short learning experiences, often lasting less than two minutes, aimed at teaching a single skill or topic . Typically offered digitally through bite-sized video lessons or interactive practice exercises, it capitalizes on learners' preference for short-form content and informal learning methods, making knowledge acquisition more accessible and manageable for busy individuals. A defining feature of nano-learning is its brevity, with lessons intentionally kept under two minutes to align with contemporary learning habits, such as engaging with short-form videos on platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok . Empirical evidence suggests that the use of short videos is associated with decreased feelings of loneliness and social isolation, thereby reducing depression among older adults . Platforms that allow users to showcase aspects of their own lives also serve as a significant avenue for achieving "happiness in old age" and enhancing social interactions with acquaintances . Therefore, this study aims to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of nano-learning interventions, particularly in the context of sarcopenia, where addressing physical and psychological well-being has become increasingly critical among this cohort.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 180
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Alexandria, Egypt, 21523
    • Faculty of Nursing

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants were eligible if they were 60 years or older,
• had a diagnosis of sarcopenia based on a cut-off score of ≥3 of the Sarcopenia Geriatric Scale (SARCO-GS) (Rosas-Carrasco, 2023),
• able to communicate effectively, and provided informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria encompassed severe cognitive impairment, debilitating chronic conditions, or unstable medical status that could hinder participation.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with a cutoff score of 25 or below used to exclude participants (Nasreddine, 2005).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: interventional group; • Recruitment was conducted through face-to-face interviews in the clinic's waiting areas by the research team. These initial meetings, lasting approximately 20-30 minutes per participant, were essential for building rapport, obtaining anthropometric and other objective data, and ensuring informed consent. During the interview, the researchers explained the purpose and procedures of the study in detail, collected participants' mobile phone numbers, and administered the baseline (pretest) assessment using the study tools.	Behavioral: Nano-Learning interventional program; AI-based Nano-learning videos involves designing ultra-short, single-focus lessons (not exceeding 2 minutes). Each session was delivered in form of some videos.
No Intervention: control; they will be exposed only to the routine care provided by the nursing homes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
A Composite Physical Function (CPF) Scale	is a validated tool designed to assess functional capacity in older adults across a continuum of daily activities. It consists of 12 items organized hierarchically, beginning with two basic activities of daily living (BADL) related to self-care, eating, and hygiene, followed by eight instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) that assess community functioning such as household chores, shopping, and mobility, and concluded with two advanced activities involving more demanding household tasks and strenuous physical exercise.	2 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF)	is a validated screening tool and one of the most widely recognized and well-studied tools for nutritional screening. It is designed to quickly identify older adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. As a shortened version of the full Mini Nutritional Assessment, it is widely used in clinical, community, and research settings due to its simplicity and time efficiency (Vellas et al., 2006).	2 month
Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF)	is a 15-item self-report tool designed to evaluate depression and overall well-being in older adults. Respondents indicate how they have felt during the past week by choosing either "Yes" (scored as 1) or "No" (scored as 0). Scores are summed to yield a total ranging from 0 to 15, with 0-4 reflecting no depression, 5-8 indicating mild depression, 9-11 suggesting moderate depression, and 12-15 representing severe depression. In 2013, Elhusseini translated the scale into Arabic, confirming its validity and reliability (r = 0.70). The GDS-SF remains one of the most effective and widely used geriatric-specific screening instruments for detecting depression in older adults (Abd El Fatah et al., 2022; Stone et al., 2019).	2 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Alexandria University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: rasha eweida, Damanhour university

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 7, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): September 22, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 22, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Behavioral Symptoms; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms; Depression; Sarcopenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: 7/9/2025

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No