Research Protocol
J Frailty Sarcopenia Falls 2026 Sep; 11(3):263-276 Copied!
10.22540/JFSF-11-263 Copied!
Co-Production of A Culturally Tailored Sarcopenia Screening Programme for Older Adults in Luton, UK: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study Protocol
- University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom
Keywords:
Abstract Sarcopenia is an age-related skeletal muscle disorder associated with frailty, falls, hospitalisation and mortality. Despite its clinical and public health importance, there is currently no structured sarcopenia screening programme in the United Kingdom, and uptake of preventive health interventions is often lower among ethnic minority populations. This study aims to co-produce a culturally tailored sarcopenia screening programme for community-dwelling older adults in a multi-ethnic UK setting. The study follows the Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions and comprises four phases: a mixed-methods systematic review to explore cultural attitudes toward screening; qualitative focus groups with older adults, stakeholders and healthcare professionals; co-production workshops using the Behaviour Change Wheel to design the intervention; and a small-scale feasibility study. Screening will be conducted using the SARC-Calf tool. Feasibility outcomes include recruitment, retention, completion rates and acceptability, while secondary outcomes include prevalence of probable sarcopenia and referral uptake to an existing community exercise programme. This study will provide evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally tailored sarcopenia screening programme and inform future large-scale evaluations.