Frailty Rehabilitation

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.

Conditions

• Frailty

Interventions

OTHER

Control

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

BEHAVIORAL

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.

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

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.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Protein Supplement

Protein supplementation will be provided.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Vitamin D

1000 IU of oral vitamin D

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McMaster University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alexandra Papaioannou, MD, MSc · McMaster University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-09-02

Primary Completion

2025-12-31

Completion

2025-12-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations