Effects of Multicomponent Exercise on Frailty in Long-Term Nursing Homes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To determine the effect of multicomponent exercise on frailty and related adverse outcomes in residents of long-term nursing homes (LTNHs).

A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Ten LTNHs in Gipuzkoa, Spain.

The study sample comprised 112 men and women aged 70 years or older who scored 50 or higher on the Barthel Index, 20 or higher on the MEC-35 test (an adapted and validated version of the Mini-Mental State Examination in Spanish), and who were capable of standing up and walking independently for at least 10 m.

Subjects in the control group (CG) participated in routine activities. The intervention group (IG) participated in a 6-month program of individualized and progressive multicomponent exercise at moderate intensity.

Frailty was assessed by four different scales at baseline and at 6 months. The Barthel Index was measured at baseline and at 12 months. Frailty-related adverse outcomes were recorded from 12 months before to 12 months after starting the intervention.

A lower prevalence of frailty was observed in the IG compared with the CG according to Fried's frailty phenotype, Short Physical Performance Battery, and Tilburg Frailty Indicator after 6 months (p < .05). There was a decline in the CG on the Barthel Index after 12 months (p < .05), whereas score was maintained in the IG. Both groups experienced a similar number of falls before and after the intervention (p > .05), but during the 6-month intervention period, fewer falls were observed in the IG than the CG (p < .05). Lower overall mortality was observed 12 months after starting the intervention for the IG than the CG (1 vs 6, respectively; p = .05).

Individualized and progressive multicomponent exercise at moderate intensity seems to be effective to prevent falls and reduce frailty and mortality.