Clinical Efficacy of a Multicomponent Exercise and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Program (FRAIL+AP) in Frail Older Adults Within Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ConditionFrail Elderly
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age70+
SponsorUniversidad Europea de Madrid

About this trial

Frailty is a multidimensional clinical syndrome associated with increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes in older adults. Despite strong evidence supporting multicomponent exercise interventions, their implementation in primary care settings remains limited.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the FRAIL+AP program, which integrates Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) with a 12-week multicomponent exercise intervention, including visual-spatial gait retraining using the Tapiz Fisior system.

The study will assess whether this intervention improves frailty status, physical performance, and functional independence, while reducing falls among community-dwelling older adults compared to standard care.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Community-dwelling adults aged 70 years or older.

Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Medical clearance to participate in low-to-moderate intensity physical exercise.

Functional independence sufficient to participate in the intervention (Barthel Index >80.

Disqualifiers

Absolute contraindications to physical exercise, including recent acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, severe uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, or severe uncorrected aortic stenosis.

Severe cognitive impairment preventing comprehension of study procedures or exercise instructions.

Severe psychiatric disorders interfering with participation.

Absence of a legally authorized representative when required.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • FRAIL+AP Program

    Behavioral

    A 12-week multicomponent intervention including Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, health education, strength training, balance exercises, mobility training, flexibility exercises, and visual-spatial gait retraining using the Tapiz Fisior system. Participants attend one supervised session and perform one home-based session per week.

  • Usual Care

    Other intervention

    Standard primary care management according to regional healthcare guidelines without structured exercise intervention.

Treatment groups

200 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: FRAIL+AP ProgramExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Usual CareActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Change in frailty status measured by the FRAIL Scale

Change in FRAIL Scale score from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. The FRAIL Scale classifies participants as robust (0), pre-frail (1-2), or frail (3-5).

Time frame
Baseline and 12 weeks
2

Change in physical performance measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)

Change in SPPB score from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. The SPPB evaluates balance, gait speed, and lower-extremity strength, with higher scores indicating better physical performance.

Time frame
Baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Incidence of Falls

Number of falls recorded during the study period using participant diaries and verified through electronic medical records.

Time frame
Baseline and 12 weeks
2

Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity

Change in perceived musculoskeletal pain measured using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.

Time frame
Baseline and 12 weeks
3

Mood and Affective Status

Change in depressive symptoms measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptomatology.

Time frame
Baseline and 12 weeks
4

Functional Independence

Change in functional independence measured using the Barthel Index. Higher scores indicate greater independence in activities of daily living.

Time frame
Baseline and 12 weeks

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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Universidad Europea de Madrid

Lead sponsor

Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias

Sponsor institution