A Mobile Intervention Designed Specifically for Older Adults With Frailty to Support Healthy Eating: Pilot Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome linked to functional decline in older adults.
• Nutritional interventions show potential for supporting independence in frail individuals.
• Current pharmacological treatments do not alter frailty's trajectory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention called "Olitor."
• To enhance adherence to the Mediterranean diet among older adults with frailty.
• To assess the intervention's impact on insulin resistance and other health metrics.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial with 15 participants (aged 66-77) randomized into intervention and control groups.
• The intervention group used the "Olitor" mobile app for 3 months, providing dietary feedback and recipes.
• Primary outcomes included Mediterranean diet adherence and insulin resistance; secondary outcomes assessed feasibility and acceptability.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in Mediterranean diet adherence score in the intervention group (adjusted P=.04).
• Large effect sizes observed for Mediterranean diet adherence (Hedges g=1.58) and vegetable intake (Hedges g=1.14).
• 100% retention rate and favorable user ratings for app quality, with an average weekly interaction time of 12 minutes.

Conclusions:

• The "Olitor" mHealth intervention shows potential for promoting healthier eating in frail older adults.
• High retention and significant improvements in diet adherence suggest feasibility and efficacy.
• Further research in diverse populations, particularly those with impaired insulin sensitivity, is recommended.