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The Effects of an Integrated Exercise Intervention on the Attenuation of Frailty in Elderly Nursing Homes: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trail

  • Original Research
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

The frail elderly have an increased risk of frailty because of reduced physical activity, cognitive ability and quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the effects of integrated exercise intervention on the attenuation of frailty in elderly nursing home residents.

Design

This study was a cluster randomized controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 146 elderly frailty people from 8 elderly nursing homes in Harbin, China, were randomly assigned into the intervention group and control group after obtaining their informed consent.

Intervention

The intervention group performed integrated exercise interventions for 12 months, while the control group only continued with their daily activities.

Measurements

Sociodemographic, health-related data, frailty levels, gait parameters, cognition, and quality of life were evaluated.

Results

The mean age of participants was 80.74± 2.89 years, and 70.37% (n=95) were female. The Difference-in-difference regression showed that, compared with the control group, phenotypic frailty score (β3 =−1.40, p < 0.001) and stride time (β3 = −0.38, p < 0.001) decreased significantly in the intervention group, stride velocity (β3 = 0.24, p < 0.001), step length (β3 = 0.08, p <0.001), cadence (β3 = 17.79, p < 0.001), MMSE total score (β3 = 1.90, p < 0.001) and QOL total score (β3 = 11.84, p < 0.001) increased significantly in the intervention group.

Conclusion

The integrated exercise intervention can effectively improve the attenuation of frailty, gait parameters, cognitive function, and quality of life in elderly nursing homes. We can use the findings of this study as a reference for the design of activities for the elderly nursing home residents, to provide them with appropriate exercises, improve their physical functions, and improve or delay their frailty level, which is principally important for developing countries in east Asia where rehabilitation resources are generally scarce.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the support, coordination and cooperation from the nurses, trainers and principals of the 8 local elderly nursing homes, and sample elderly for their participation. We also gratefully acknowledge the members of our team for excellent assistance. This research was funded by Japan-China Medical Association Foundation Project, Heilongjiang Province Education Science «14th Five-year plan» 2021 Key Project (Project Approval Number: GJB1421328), and Heilongjiang Natural Science Foundation Project (Project Approval Number: LH2020H083).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of the Graduate School, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    T. Liu & C. Wang

  2. Department of the First Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    J. Sun, W. Chen, L. Meng & J. Li

  3. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    M. Cao

  4. Department of the Treatment Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China

    Q. Liu

  5. Department of the Ward 5 of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 144, Gogol Road, 150040, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China

    Chen Chen

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  1. T. Liu
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Correspondence to Chen Chen.

Ethics declarations

The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine (protocol number: 2020-K131). Prior to the start of the study, we explained the purpose and methods of the study to the participants and sought the written informed consent of all study participants.

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Liu, T., Wang, C., Sun, J. et al. The Effects of an Integrated Exercise Intervention on the Attenuation of Frailty in Elderly Nursing Homes: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trail. J Nutr Health Aging 26, 222–229 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-022-1745-4

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