Testing the Effects of a Multicomponent Frailty Management Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Singapore: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Frailty in later life is often associated with functional declines and reduced quality of life. A multicomponent frailty management program (mFMP) is lacking in Singapore. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and effects of an mFMP in reducing frailty and increasing participation among frail community-living older adults. Pre- and postassessments at three time points were conducted to compare the differences in body functions between the mFMP (experimental group [EG]) and a fitness program (control group [CG]). Recruitment, dropouts, and fall data were collected. Weekly field notes and semistructured interviews postintervention were thematically analyzed. Sixteen out of 23 participants (EG: eight; CG: eight) completed the 12-week interventions with reduced frailty immediately postintervention. At 3-month postintervention, 10 participants (EG: five; CG: five) being followed up had a sustained level of frailty (p < .05). The EG and CG reported zero and two falls, respectively. The mFMP demonstrated its feasibility and exhibited a trend to facilitate personal behavioral changes postintervention.