OBJECTIVE: To investigate the available evidence on the components of sarcopenia in geriatric rehabilitation, and to examine whether changes in different settings are associated with sarcopenia. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched from initiation to August 30th, 2021. STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of older adults receiving geriatric rehabilitation that included strength exercise training. DATA EXTRACTION: The following study contents were extracted: study design, patient characteristics, sample size, description of the rehabilitation setting, follow-up timepoint and outcomes. The main outcomes were muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance. DATA SYNTHESIS: Weighted mean difference for 'Timed up-and-go' score and standardized mean difference for other parameters were calculated. CONCLUSIONS: Center-based geriatric rehabilitation improved lower limb strength and Timed Up-and-Go Test score to a greater extent than home-based geriatric rehabilitation in elderly people. Center-based training seems to show a minor superior effect on gait speed in prolonged follow-up rather than at the endpoint of intervention. To draw a stronger conclusion, further high-quality trials with standard protocols and longer follow-up are needed.

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