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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

A multifactorial interdisciplinary intervention reduces frailty in older people: randomized trial

Authors: Ian D Cameron, Nicola Fairhall, Colleen Langron, Keri Lockwood, Noeline Monaghan, Christina Aggar, Catherine Sherrington, Stephen R Lord, Susan E Kurrle

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Frailty is a well known and accepted term to clinicians working with older people. The study aim was to determine whether an intervention could reduce frailty and improve mobility.

Methods

We conducted a single center, randomized, controlled trial among older people who were frail in Sydney, Australia. One group received an intervention targeting the identified characteristics of frailty, whereas the comparison group received the usual health care and support services. Outcomes were assessed by raters masked to treatment allocation at 3 and 12 months after study entry. The primary outcomes were frailty as assessed by the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, and mobility as assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery. Secondary outcome measures included disability, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

Results

A total of 216 participants (90%) completed the study. Overall, 68% of participants were women and the mean age was 83.3 years (standard deviation, 5.9). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the between-group difference in frailty was 14.7% at 12 months (95% confidence interval: 2.4%, 27.0%; P = 0.02). The score on the Short Physical Performance Battery, in which higher scores indicate better physical status, was stable in the intervention group and had declined in the control group; with the mean difference between groups being 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.80, 2.07; P <0.001) at 12 months. There were no major differences between the groups with respect to secondary outcomes. The few adverse events that occurred were exercise-associated musculoskeletal symptoms.

Conclusions

Frailty and mobility disability can be successfully treated using an interdisciplinary multifaceted treatment program.

Trial registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12608000250​336
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
A multifactorial interdisciplinary intervention reduces frailty in older people: randomized trial
Authors
Ian D Cameron
Nicola Fairhall
Colleen Langron
Keri Lockwood
Noeline Monaghan
Christina Aggar
Catherine Sherrington
Stephen R Lord
Susan E Kurrle
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-11-65

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