The effect of combined lifestyle intervention among long term care facilities: A systematic review

The purpose of this research: Population aging is one of the most significant demographic phenomena of the 21st century. It has led to a growing number of older adults requiring long-term care (LTC), which poses significant challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Lifestyle medicine is a promising strategy for improving health outcomes and quality of life among institutionalised older adults. Principal results: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of combined lifestyle interventions, including physical exercise and nutrition, implemented in LTC facilities. Based on PRISMA guidelines, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched up to December 2024. Studies including adults aged ≥65 years living in LTC facilities and receiving multidomain lifestyle interventions were selected. Out of 3,093 records, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The interventions typically combined resistance, balance or multicomponent exercise programmes with nutritional supplementation or education and lasted from seven to 26 weeks. Most studies demonstrated improvements in physical functionality (e.g. gait speed, strength and balance), while results regarding quality of life were inconsistent. Nutritional status improved when protein- and energy-enriched supplements were included. Despite the overall positive findings, heterogeneity in study design, intervention duration and outcome assessment limits comparability. Major conclusion: While evidence suggests that combined lifestyle interventions are feasible and beneficial in long-term care (LTC) settings, further high-quality, standardised and long-term studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and sustainability.