Comparing Sarcopenia , Physical, Psychological and Social Frailty in Hospitalized Older Women Congestive Heart Failure in Metropolitan and Rural Settings

Launched by CHANG GUNG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · Jul 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying older women with congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition where the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. The researchers want to understand how common different types of frailty are in these women—frailty meaning weakness or vulnerability in muscle strength (called sarcopenia), physical health, mental health, and social connections. They are especially interested in comparing women who are hospitalized in big city hospitals versus those in rural hospitals in Taiwan. The study will also test a special app designed to help improve social connections and emotional well-being, which might lead to better health outcomes like fewer hospital visits and improved quality of life.

Women who are 65 years or older, have a certain type of heart failure (measured by heart pumping ability less than 40%), and can communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese may be eligible to join. Participants will have their health carefully checked at the start, then followed up every few months for a year. Some will use the app daily to help monitor their mood and connect socially, others will take part in community activities, and a third group will continue usual care. This study aims to find out if these approaches can help older women with CHF stay healthier and feel better, especially by addressing physical, emotional, and social challenges related to their condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants must be 65 years or older.
• • Diagnosis of CHF with a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of less than 40%
• • Ability to communicate effectively in Mandarin or Taiwanese.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients diagnosed with unstable heart failure
• • Severe Comorbidities, conditions such as end-stage renal disease, advanced hepatic dysfunction, or terminal malignancies.
• • Severe cognitive deficits that impede the ability to provide informed consent or participate in study interventions.
• • Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments that would hinder effective communication or interaction with the ChatGPT application.
• • Active psychiatric conditions, including major depression or psychosis, that could interfere with study participation or adherence.