Locomotive syndrome, defined broadly as a condition of reduced mobility due to impairment of muscles, bones, and joints involved in minutely controlled patterns, is an issue which affects elderly populations, as well as those who’ve experienced physical trauma or chronic diseases. Most often treated by physical therapy or exercise programs, there isn’t a wealth of research on which nutritional interventions if any may provide some type of benefit in improving this condition.
 
In one randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients, a botanical supplement made from Cistanche tubulosa, a desert plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, was successful in attenuating Locomotive syndrome significantly in a group of 26 subjects experiencing pre-symptomatic or mild locomotive syndrome.
 
There are four key issues considered to be risk factors for locomotive organs, common to the geriatric population. These include acute exacerbation of diseases which is often accompanied by pain, the presence of osteoporosis, post-operative mobility issues, and an increase in the number of people whose return to their homes is delayed following an orthopedic operation due to an aging population. In non-aging populations, the key contributors to locomotive syndrome are a lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate nutrition.
 
The participants were randomized into two groups, who were administered either a placebo or a Cistanche tubulosa extract for 12 weeks
 
The degree to which locomotive syndrome was attenuated in the participants was evaluated using physical, exercise-based interventions. The five assessments used were measurement of muscle mass, hand grip strength, five-meter walking speed, a two-step test (taking steps forward at maximum stride without losing balance), and the stand-up test (stand using both legs and then one leg from a sitting position on stools of varying heights).
 
While no significant differences were seen in muscle mass or handgrip strength, the researchers observed significant improvements in walking performance within the CT extract group compared to the placebo. They hypothesize that the main active constituent of the extract, acteoside, was involved in a biological mechanism behind the improvement.
 
“We previously identified acteoside as the main active constituent in CT extract and showed that it can activate axonal elongation activity [neuronal activity in the skeletal muscle], resulting in up-regulation of motor function,” the authors said. “However the precise molecular mechanism underlying the effect of CT extract or acteoside on muscle strength needs to be analyzed using appropriate animal models in the future.”
 
Notably, the experimental group was significantly older than the placebo group, but benefits to walking performance nonetheless persisted.
 
“Based on the evidence in this study, we will promote the development of CT extract as Foods with Functional Claims and Over-the-Counter medicine in Japan,” the authors concluded.