Telerehabilitation on Physical Fitness, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Frail Older Adults

Launched by MARINA ALVARADO · Jan 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a telerehabilitation program, which allows older adults to participate in physical therapy sessions from home using video calls. The goal is to see if this online program helps improve physical fitness, functional abilities, and overall quality of life better than traditional in-person therapy sessions at a care center. The trial focuses on frail men and women aged 60 and older who can walk independently for at least 10 meters and have a basic understanding of their health.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the telerehabilitation group, where they'll join a live video exercise session twice a week for 12 weeks, or the face-to-face group, which meets at a care center for similar sessions. Each exercise session will include a mix of activities to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. To join, participants need to have a smartphone or tablet and a reliable internet connection, but they don't need to be tech-savvy. It's important to note that those with certain medical conditions or who are currently in another exercise program won’t be eligible to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • (i) both sexes aged ≥60 years, (ii) community-dwelling older adults, (iii) older adults having frailty according to the modified Fried phenotype scale, (iv) ability to stand up and walk ≥10 meters without assistance technique, (v) Abbreviated Mini Mental State (MMSE) \>13 points, (vi) no medical contraindication for physical exercise. In addition, older adults must have a smartphone or tablet, and Internet connection at home. Computer or Internet literacy is not required as an eligibility criterion.
• • Exclusion Criteria: Those older adults presenting fractures and recent acute myocardial infarction, associated cardiovascular pathology, severe acute respiratory failure, high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, limitations following instructions, as well as people participating in other exercise program during the project.