100 Participants Needed

Meal Delivery + Exercise for Frailty

KN
JL
PR
Overseen ByPaola Robles Cordova
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a home-based exercise program administered through Meals on wheels (MOW) on gait speed and frailty status and to assess the association between novel serum biomarkers (70 kilodalton heat shock proteins (HSP70),Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins(MIP1b), soluble IL-6 receptor alpha-chain (sIL-6R)) and established but non-specific frailty biomarkers (Interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)) in frail and prefrail homebound older adults before and after the exercise intervention.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Meal Delivery + Exercise for Frailty?

Research shows that combining exercise and nutrition interventions can improve physical function and dietary protein intake in older adults with frailty. A study found significant improvements in physical tests and protein intake after an 8-week program, suggesting that similar treatments may be effective.12345

Is the combination of meal delivery and exercise safe for older adults?

Research on programs like Meals on Wheels combined with exercise shows they are generally safe for older adults, with participants reporting satisfaction and improvements in physical function and nutrition. Regular monitoring is recommended to ensure nutritional needs are met, especially for those at risk of malnutrition.16789

How does the Meals plus exercise treatment for frailty differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines home-delivered nutritious meals with a home-based exercise program, specifically targeting frailty in older adults. Unlike other treatments that may focus solely on medication or exercise, this approach addresses both nutrition and physical activity, which are crucial for improving strength and overall health in frail individuals.6781011

Research Team

JL

Jessica Lee, MD,MS

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for homebound older adults who are medically stable but frail or prefrail according to The Fried Frailty Phenotype. Participants must be able to walk, follow instructions, and not be in any other physical therapy programs or have terminal illnesses.

Inclusion Criteria

Frail or prefrail by The Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP)
I usually can't leave my home without help.
My health condition is currently stable.

Exclusion Criteria

I may have trouble understanding or following instructions.
I cannot walk on my own.
I cannot use my arms or I am in physical or occupational therapy.
See 2 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a home-based exercise program administered through Meals on Wheels to improve gait speed and frailty status

12 weeks
Home-based intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in gait speed, frailty status, and serum biomarkers

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Meals only
  • Meals plus exercise
Trial OverviewThe study is testing the impact of a home-based exercise program delivered with Meals on Wheels on walking speed and frailty status. It also examines changes in specific blood markers related to inflammation and stress before and after exercising.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Meals plus exerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Meals onlyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials
974
Recruited
361,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials
1,841
Recruited
28,150,000+

Findings from Research

The MoveStrong program, an 8-week exercise and nutrition intervention delivered via telephone and virtual sessions, was feasible and well-accepted by older adults, with a high retention rate of 93% and adherence to sessions exceeding 80%.
Participants showed significant improvements in physical function, as evidenced by increased chair stand test scores and enhanced dietary protein intake, indicating the program's effectiveness in addressing frailty in older adults.
MoveStrong at home: a feasibility study of a model for remote delivery of functional strength and balance training combined with nutrition education for older pre-frail and frail adults.Wang, E., Keller, H., Mourtzakis, M., et al.[2022]
Combined exercise and nutrition interventions for hospitalized older adults (≥65 years) show a weak but positive effect on reducing frailty scores and improving physical performance, as evidenced by a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 20 articles.
Participants receiving these interventions demonstrated greater independence in daily activities, although the results showed high variability, indicating that while there are benefits, the effectiveness may differ significantly among individuals.
Effectiveness of combined exercise and nutrition interventions in prefrail or frail older hospitalised patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Han, CY., Miller, M., Yaxley, A., et al.[2021]
In a study involving 300 older adults (average age 82.5 years) with signs of frailty, it was found that greater severity of frailty is linked to lower functional independence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
The participants were randomized into a 12-month home-based exercise program or usual care, highlighting the potential for supervised physical activity to improve outcomes for frail individuals, although the results of the intervention are not detailed in this abstract.
Older persons with signs of frailty in a home-based physical exercise intervention: baseline characteristics of an RCT.Suikkanen, S., Soukkio, P., Pitkälä, K., et al.[2022]

References

MoveStrong at home: a feasibility study of a model for remote delivery of functional strength and balance training combined with nutrition education for older pre-frail and frail adults. [2022]
Effectiveness of combined exercise and nutrition interventions in prefrail or frail older hospitalised patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2021]
Older persons with signs of frailty in a home-based physical exercise intervention: baseline characteristics of an RCT. [2022]
Effect of 12-Month Supervised, Home-Based Physical Exercise on Functioning Among Persons With Signs of Frailty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]
Therapeutic interventions for frail elderly patients: part II. Ongoing and unpublished randomized trials. [2022]
"It could probably help someone else but not me": a feasibility study of a snack programme offered to meals on wheels clients. [2021]
Hospital admissions in poorly nourished, compared with well-nourished, older South Australians receiving 'Meals on Wheels': findings from a pilot study. [2014]
The nutritional status and energy and protein intakes of MOW clients and the need for further targeted strategies to enhance intakes. [2015]
Frailty and Nutrition Risk Screening in Home-Delivered Meal Clients. [2020]
Recruitment of volunteers for a home-delivered meals programme serving homebound older adults: a theoretically derived programme among faith communities. [2019]
Meals on Wheels: Who's referring and what's on the menu? [2020]