Exercise Program for Frailty

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Guy Hajj Boutros

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, others

Disqualifiers: Heart disease, Dementia, Drug abuse, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 12 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a specific exercise program, called the SAFE program, can benefit individuals who are frail or becoming frail. Participants will either engage in these exercises or continue their usual daily activities. The exercises focus on strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance, and are designed to be performed with caregiver guidance. Ideal candidates for this trial are those considered frail or pre-frail based on commonly understood criteria. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the opportunity to contribute to valuable research that may enhance the quality of life for those who are frail.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if you are on prescribed medication that may interfere with the study results, you might need to stop or adjust them.

What prior data suggests that the SAFE exercise program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that exercise programs for older adults are generally safe. A review of several studies found that only 13.5% of older adults discontinued home exercises, indicating that most found them manageable. Another study found that exercise programs improved frailty and physical abilities in older adults, demonstrating that the exercises were not only safe but also beneficial. These findings suggest that the SAFE program, a structured exercise plan for frail older adults, is likely to be safe and well-received. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The SAFE program is unique because it offers a structured exercise regimen specifically designed to combat frailty in older adults. Unlike typical treatments that might focus on medication or generalized exercise advice, the SAFE program delivers a tailored exercise experience through online video capsules, which is easily accessible and allows for progressive difficulty. Researchers are excited about this approach because it integrates caregiver support and professional guidance right from the start, potentially enhancing adherence and effectiveness. This method not only promotes physical health but also encourages social interaction and mental engagement, which are often overlooked in traditional treatments for frailty.

What evidence suggests that the SAFE program is effective for frailty?

This trial will compare the SAFE program with a control group. Research has shown that exercise programs like the SAFE program can greatly benefit older adults who are frail. Studies have found that these programs improve physical abilities, increase muscle strength, and boost aerobic fitness. Participants often experience better balance, flexibility, and an overall improved quality of life. Regular exercise can also enhance thinking skills and mood, including reducing depression. Evidence suggests that frailty can be improved, and with dedication to exercise, people can see significant benefits. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jose Morais, MD

Principal Investigator

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults who are frail or pre-frail, meaning they're at risk of falls due to muscle weakness (sarcopenia) and general decline in physical ability as they age. Participants should be able to follow a video-based exercise program.

Inclusion Criteria

Considered Frail or Pre frail according to Fried's criteria

Exclusion Criteria

I have a disorder affecting my balance or inner ear.

Mental illness diagnosis

I have a kidney problem.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-intervention Assessment

Assessment of cognition and functional abilities and explanation of the exercise program

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants in the experimental group engage in the SAFE exercises three times a week for 12 weeks at home

12 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Post-intervention Assessment

Post-intervention assessment of cognition and functional abilities

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored by telephone to follow up whether they are still following the SAFE program or not

12 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SAFE program

Trial Overview The SAFE exercise program is being tested to see if it can prevent falls in frail and pre-frail older adults. Half the participants will do these exercises while the other half won't, with a check-in after 12 weeks post-intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: SAFE program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to carry out the SAFE program with the help of a caregiver. Our healthcare professionals will visit them during the first week to explain to them and their caregivers how to perform the exercises correctly while using our website. All exercises will be performed using video capsules available on our website (https://safe-seniors.com/fr). The exercises are divided into 4 levels of difficulty: level 1 (light); level 2 (moderate); level 3 (moderate to vigorous); and level 4 (vigorous). Each level lasts 25 to 30 minutes and includes 5 exercise categories split into 5 videos: warm-up, strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. The exercise intervention will include 3 sessions per week over 12 weeks.

Group II: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to continue their activities of daily living without making any changes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

476

Recruited

170,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Exercise is the most effective therapy to reverse frailty in older adults, with recommendations for pre-frail individuals to engage in 2-3 sessions per week of 45-60 minutes, focusing on aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance training.

Frail older adults should exercise 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes, primarily emphasizing aerobic training, with intensity levels set to a 'somewhat hard' effort on the Borg CR10 scale to maximize functional improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise prescription to reverse frailty. Bray, NW., Smart, RR., Jakobi, JM., et al.[2022]

The group-based Otago exercise program (OEP) was successfully implemented with 18 older adults with cognitive impairment, showing significant improvements in frailty scores after three months of participation.

Participants demonstrated enhanced physical function, as evidenced by significant improvements in the Time Up and Go test, 30 seconds Sit-To-Stand Test, and Four-Stage Balance Test, indicating that OEP is an effective intervention for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of the group-based Otago exercise program on frailty among nursing home older adults with cognitive impairment. Feng, H., Zou, Z., Zhang, Q., et al.[2021]

A 6-week supervised exercise program combining power training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly improved frailty status in 64% of older adults, with an average improvement of 1.6 points on the Frailty Phenotype scale.

Participants in the exercise group also showed notable enhancements in physical performance, including a 47% increase in muscle power and a 19% improvement in aerobic capacity, while the control group experienced no significant changes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a short multicomponent exercise intervention focused on muscle power in frail and pre frail elderly: A pilot trial. Losa-Reyna, J., Baltasar-Fernandez, I., Alcazar, J., et al.[2019]

Exercise interventions have a positive effect on physical determinants and functional abilities in frail older adults, based on a systematic review of 47 randomized controlled trials.

Multicomponent training programs lasting at least 5 months, with sessions three times a week for 30-45 minutes, showed the best outcomes for managing frailty compared to other exercise types.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of exercise interventions for the management of frailty: a systematic review. Theou, O., Stathokostas, L., Roland, KP., et al.[2022]

The PROMUFRA multicomponent frailty program, involving strength and myofascial exercises over 20 weeks, significantly improved physical frailty status and various muscle function parameters in 81 older adults compared to a control group.

Participants in the intervention group also showed positive changes in body composition, including increased muscle mass and improved range of motion, along with a trend towards reduced pain, highlighting the program's potential benefits for frail and pre-frail individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Frailty Status Improvement after 5-Month Multicomponent Program PROMUFRA in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Barrachina-Igual, J., Pablos, A., Pérez-Ros, P., et al.[2022]

The HOPE programme, a 12-week home-based exercise intervention for older adults with frailty, showed a non-significant trend towards improved mobility, suggesting potential benefits for this population.

In a pilot study with 84 participants, the intervention group demonstrated a mean adjusted improvement in mobility (measured by the timed-up-and-go test) compared to the control group, indicating that exercise may help mitigate mobility decline in frail older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Home-based Older People's Exercise (HOPE) trial: a pilot randomised controlled trial of a home-based exercise intervention for older people with frailty. Clegg, A., Barber, S., Young, J., et al.[2022]

A 16-week multicomponent exercise program significantly improved physical frailty in older adults, with 46% of pre-frail and 50% of frail participants becoming more robust after the intervention.

The exercise program was particularly effective for frail and pre-frail individuals, leading to a notable reduction in frailty scores, while robust individuals showed a slight increase in frailty, highlighting the program's targeted benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program on Prevalence and Severity of the Frailty Syndrome in a Sample of Italian Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Mulasso, A., Roppolo, M., Rainoldi, A., et al.[2023]

The HOPE trial is a pilot randomized controlled trial involving a 12-week home-based exercise program aimed at improving mobility and functional abilities in frail older adults, with the primary outcome measured by the timed-up-and-go test (TUGT).

This study is notable for using a validated method to assess frailty at baseline, which may enhance the reliability of the results compared to previous trials that used non-validated measures.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Home-Based Older People's Exercise (HOPE) trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Clegg, A., Barber, S., Young, J., 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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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]

After 6 weeks of using the FRED exergame, only 5% of elderly participants showed signs of frailty, compared to 100% in the control group, indicating a significant reduction in frailty risk (p < 0.001).

Participants using the FRED exergame also reported improved independence in daily activities and a better perception of their health, with a safety compliance rate exceeding 87%, demonstrating that this exercise method is both effective and safe for elderly individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Frailty Level Monitoring and Analysis after a Pilot Six-Week Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Using the FRED Exergame Including Biofeedback Supervision in an Elderly Day Care Centre. Mugueta-Aguinaga, I., Garcia-Zapirain, B.[2020]

In a study of 31 frail older women participating in a 12-week exercise program, both home-based and center-based programs effectively reversed frailty in 76% of participants, demonstrating significant improvements in muscle strength and physical function.

The home-based program showed high adherence rates, while the center-based program was more effective in reversing frailty status, indicating that both approaches can be beneficial for frail older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Home-Based Exercise Improve the Physical Function of Prefrail Older Women? Garcia, RNSA., Costa, SN., Garcia, EDSA., et al.[2021]

Citations

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The Effect of Exercise Program Interventions on Frailty ... The results demonstrated that multicomponent exercise programs significantly improved frailty status, enhanced physical and cognitive function, and improved ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05946109

Effect of an Exercise Program for Frail Older Adults Favorable effects of physical activity on frail older adults include improved muscle strength, aerobic capacity, Quality of Life, cognition, and depression.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2260134124003918

Home-Based Exercise Programs for the Oldest-Old to ... A meta-analysis revealed that older adults who engaged in physical exercise at home exhibited a low dropout rate from the program (13.5%), with substantial ...

4. aging.jmir.org aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e65636

Frailty, Fitness, and Quality of Life Outcomes of a Healthy and ... The frailty score improved across groups, providing further evidence that physical frailty is reversible. Our study also produced a few other ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2308-3417/9/1/8

Effect of Exercise Programs on Physical Performance in ... Adherence, safety and potential effectiveness of a home-based Radio-Taiso exercise program in older adults with frailty: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

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Exercise as an Intervention for Frailty - PMC In the systemic review of 41 studies conducted by Latham, resistance exercise training did not decrease the risk of ADL disability in an elderly population. In ...

7. bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-024-05382-7

Views and experiences of older people taking part in a safe ... Our previous pilot study results involving healthy older adults showed that participants were able to decrease hip acceleration by 33% and head ...

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/21/6570

The Effect of Exercise Program Interventions on Frailty ... The results demonstrated that multicomponent exercise programs significantly improved frailty status, enhanced physical and cognitive function, and improved ...