Year: 2012
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Geriatric frailty has drawn growing interest in recent years for its associations with multiple adverse outcomes. Previous studies showed that interventions may improve some aspects of frailty such as physical function. However, interventions targeting the entire frailty construct have not been systemically reviewed. We conducted a comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials targeting geriatric frailty. Only trials that measured outcomes based on their predefined frailty indicators were included. Of 98 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies were classified as high quality. Of the six exercise-based interventions, five showed significant improvements on at least two of their frailty indicators. Hormone replacement therapy was not effective. Two of the three multifactorial interventions have not published their results, and the third did not show significant improvements. More studies with standardized definitions and measurements of frailty are needed to determine the effectiveness of interventions on geriatric frailty.
Authors: Ping-Hsueh Lee, Yow-Shan Lee, Ding-Cheng Chan
Language: English
Topic: Frailty in Older Adults
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2089366010