Frailty Rehabilitation

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Control: Participants randomized to the control arm will not receive any of the Frailty Management Interventions.

Group Exercise: A recent meta-analysis suggests 180 min/week of exercise (with a high challenge to balance) is most effective for fall prevention. Combined strength and endurance training performed at a moderate weekly frequency (i.e., two times per week) may promote marked gains on muscle hypertrophy, strength and power gains in frail older adults. Balance training is a key component of successful exercise programs for vulnerable older adults.

Nutrition and Medication review: Nutrition review: Conduct nutritional screening flow and review any questions, provide some additional counseling/coaching. Protein supplements will be provided to all participants unless contraindicated. Medication review: Review/update current medication list and forward the list and medical history to the consultant study pharmacist.

Protein Supplement: Protein supplementation will be provided.

Vitamin D: 1000 IU of oral vitamin D

Study summary

Frailty is an important clinical state that contributes to falls, hospitalization, institutionalization and death. When an individual simultaneously has many health problems, a frailty "tipping point" may be triggered by even a minor stressful event such as adding a new drug or urinary tract infection. Our research suggests that approximately 23% of Canadians over age 65 are frail, and by age 85 this estimate increases to over 40%. As we learn more about frailty and its consequences, there is an urgent need to develop community-based interventions that will prevent or delay frailty in older adults. Our proposed study will examine if frailty rehabilitation program is an effective community-based intervention to promote healthy aging. The primary objective of our study is to determine if 4-month frailty rehabilitation improves physical function compared with control and exercise alone in community-dwelling older adults living with frailty and sarcopenia. Secondary objectives of our study are to determine if 4-months of frailty rehabilitation can improve functional abilities and reduce healthcare utilization during a 6-month follow-up period compared with control and exercise alone. Results will translate the first Canadian model of frailty and sarcopenia rehabilitation and management.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Physical Performance — Baseline and 4-months
  Physical function will be assessed with the Short Performance Physical Battery \[total score\]. Higher scores indicate better physical performance \[range 0-12\].
• Change in Walking Speed — Baseline and 4-months
  Walking speed will be assessed with the 400-m Walk Test \[walking speed, m/s\]. Faster walking speeds indicate better performance.

Trial sites (1)

More McMaster University trials in Canada

Other trials for the same condition