Multicomponent physical exercise programme among community-dwelling older adults who are users of home care services: A quasi-experimental pilot study

Abstract Objective This quasi-experimental parallel pilot study aimed to analyse the feasibility and effectiveness of a multicomponent physical exercise programme (MPEP) among community-dwelling older adults who were users of home care services (HCS). Methods Forty-four participants were allocated to a MPEP group or a control (CON) group based on choice. Participants in the MPEP group performed individualised and progressive strength, balance and flexibility exercises three times per week for 16 weeks. One session was a group face-to-face session guided by a physical therapist, and the other two were individual home-based sessions following the Vivifrail programme. Feasibility was assessed via recruitment, adherence, safety and acceptability. Physical performance; nutritional, psycho-affective and cognitive status; and frailty were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Results Among the 604 eligible participants, 44 consented to participate. Completion rate was 7%. A total of 83% of participants attended face-to-face sessions with a compliance rate of 73%. Reported compliance with at-home sessions was 71%. No dangerous adverse events were reported. The participants reported an average satisfaction of 9 out of 10. Group-by-time interactions in favour of the MPEP group were found for the Short Physical Performance Battery (p=0.024) and Fried Frailty Scale (p=0.019). The MPEP group showed a decrease in the number of frail participants according to the Fried Frailty Scale (p=0.020) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (p=0.050). There were no other group-by-time interactions. Conclusions The MPEP is feasible and effective at improving physical performance and frailty status among community-dwelling older adults who are users of HCS (NCT05726214 in the ClinicalTrials.gov registry).