Effects of Remote Exercise on Physical Function in Pre-Frail Older Adults

Kyungdong University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Frail Elderly

Treatments: Behavioral: In-Person Exercise Program; Behavioral: Remote Exercise Program; Other: Physical Activity Education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06672640

2024-05-014

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to compare the effects of remote versus in-person exercise interventions on physical function, balance, gait stability, and fall efficacy in pre-frail older adults aged 65 years and above. Participants are randomly assigned to either a remote exercise group, an in-person exercise group, or a control group. The exercise intervention includes balance, strength, and gait training conducted twice weekly for eight weeks. The control group receives educational materials on physical activity. The primary outcome measures include assessments of balance, lower limb strength, gait ability, and fall efficacy. This study seeks to determine if remote exercise is as effective as in-person exercise in enhancing physical function in pre-frail older adults, potentially providing a feasible alternative to traditional in-person programs and addressing barriers such as limited mobility and access to exercise facilities.

Enrollment: 90 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 65 years or older
• Classified as pre-frail based on Fried's frailty criteria (meeting at least two out of five specified indicators)
• Experienced a fall in the preceding six months or have impaired gait and balance (TUG ≥ 13.5 seconds, BBS ≤ 45)
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24 or higher
• Demonstrate the physical capacity to engage in the remote exercise (e.g., ability to stand from a seated position and walk short distances)

Exclusion criteria

• Neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that impede physical activity
• Recent history of severe cardiovascular disease (within the past three months)
• Inability to commit to continuous participation throughout the study period
• Any other medical condition that might interfere with the intervention or pose a risk to the participant

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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90 participants in 3 patient groups

remote exercise group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the remote exercise group will engage in exercise sessions conducted twice weekly for eight weeks using video conferencing software. The intervention includes balance, strength, and gait training, supervised by a licensed physical therapist. Sessions are performed at participants' homes with assistance from caregivers to ensure safety and compliance.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Remote Exercise Program

in-person exercise group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the in-person exercise group will attend supervised exercise sessions at a senior welfare center twice weekly for eight weeks. The sessions, conducted by a licensed physical therapist, focus on improving balance, lower limb strength, and gait stability. The intervention is identical to the remote exercise group, except the mode of delivery is in person at the welfare center.

Treatment:

Behavioral: In-Person Exercise Program

control group

Other group

Description:

Participants in the control group will receive an informational booklet on exercise and attend a single educational session about physical activity. They will be encouraged to maintain their usual activities, and their physical activity levels will be self-reported and periodically monitored by the research team.

Treatment:

Other: Physical Activity Education