Effect of Multicomponent Intervention on Functional Decline in Chinese Older Adults: A Multicenter Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Functional decline in older adults poses a significant public health challenge.
• Multicomponent exercise interventions are increasingly explored to mitigate age-related physical and cognitive impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of multicomponent exercise based on vivifrail recommendations for improving physical ability, cognitive function, gait, balance, and muscle strength in Chinese older adults.
• To assess the impact of a 12-week exercise program on various functional and health-related outcomes in a geriatric population.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, randomized clinical trial involving 104 older adults with functional declines in Jiangsu, China.
• Participants were assigned to either a control group (usual care plus health education) or an exercise group (usual care plus health education plus multicomponent exercise).
• Intervention lasted 12 weeks, with primary outcomes including the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) change scores.

Main Results:

• The exercise group demonstrated significant improvements in SPPB (2-point change, P<0.001) compared to the control group.
• Significant improvements were observed in ADL, instrumental ADL, Tinetti scores, Frailty scores, 4-meter gait speed, and 6-minute walking distance in the exercise group.
• The exercise group showed significant gains in various muscle mass indicators, including soft lean mass, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass, while the control group did not.

Conclusions:

• Multicomponent exercise following vivifrail recommendations effectively reverses functional decline in older adults.
• The intervention significantly enhances gait, balance, and muscle strength, proving beneficial for geriatric populations.
• This 12-week program offers valuable guidance for Chinese geriatric medical professionals and shows promise for improving general physical function.