Multidisciplinary intervention in frail elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases: a multicentre, single-blinded,...

Evidence supporting multidisciplinary interventions for frailty in elderly cardiovascular inpatients remains limited. In this completed multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial (ChiCTR1900022623), 333 frail inpatients aged ≥ 70 years with cardiovascular diseases were randomly assigned to RENAP (Rehabilitation exercises, patient Education, Nutritional guidance, Acupoint massage, and Polypharmacy management) programme (n = 166) or usual care (n = 167). The trial was supported by grants from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The primary outcomes were changes from baseline to 12 months in Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores at one year. RENAP significantly improved FFP score [t(993) = -4.79; P < 0.001; adjusted mean difference -0.79; 95% CI: -1.11 to -0.46] and SPPB score [t(993) = 4.06; P < 0.001; adjusted mean difference 2.02; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.99]. No treatment-related serious adverse events were observed during the study. These findings suggest that a hospital-initiated multidisciplinary programme may improve frailty and physical function in frail elderly adults with cardiovascular diseases. The single-city setting and loss to follow-up may limit generalisability and warrant confirmation in broader healthcare settings.