Abstract
Objective
To examine the effects of a multicomponent frailty prevention program in community-dwelling
older persons with prefrailty.
Design
A randomized controlled trial.
Setting
A community elderly center in Hong Kong.
Participants
Persons aged ≥50 years who scored 1-2 on a simple frailty questionnaire (FRAIL)
Methods
Participants (n = 127) were randomly assigned to a 12-week multicomponent frailty
prevention program (exercise, cognitive training, board game activities) or to a wait-list
control group. The primary outcomes were FRAIL scores, frailty status, and a combined
frailty measure including subjective (FRAIL total score) and objective (grip strength,
muscle endurance, balance, gait speed) measures. The secondary outcomes were verbal
fluency assessed by dual-task gait speed, attention and memory assessed by digit span
task, executive function assessed by the Frontal Assessment Battery, self-rated health,
and life satisfaction. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at week 12.
Results
The mean age of the participants was 62.2 years, and 88.2% were women. At week 12,
the FRAIL score had decreased in the intervention group (−1.3, P < .001) but had increased in the control group (0.3, P < .01) (between-group differences P < .001). In addition, 83.3% and 1.6% of the intervention and control groups, respectively,
had reversed from prefrailty to robust phenotype (between-group differences P < .001). Participants in the intervention group also had a greater reduction in the
combined frailty score and greater improvements in muscle endurance, balance, verbal
fluency, attention and memory, executive function, and self-rated health than those
in the control group (all P < .05). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to
grip strength, gait speed, and life satisfaction.
Conclusions and implications
The multicomponent frailty prevention program reduced frailty and improved physical
and cognitive functions, and self-rated health in community-dwelling older persons
with prefrailty. Findings can provide insights into the consideration of incorporating
frailty prevention programs into the routine practice of community elderly services.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 06, 2019
Footnotes
This work was supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
