title: A multifactorial interdisciplinary intervention reduces frailty in older people: randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Frailty is a well known and accepted term to clinicians working with older people. The study aim was to determine whether an intervention could reduce frailty and improve mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a single center, randomized, controlled trial among older people who were frail in Sydney, Australia. One group received an intervention targeting the identified characteristics of frailty, whereas the comparison group received the usual health care and support services. Outcomes were assessed by raters masked to treatment allocation at 3 and 12 months after study entry. The primary outcomes were frailty as assessed by the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, and mobility as assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery. Secondary outcome measures included disability, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 216 participants (90%) completed the study. Overall, 68% of participants were women and the mean age was 83.3 years (standard deviation, 5.9). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the between-group difference in frailty was 14.7% at 12 months (95% confidence interval: 2.4%, 27.0%; P = 0.02). The score on the Short Physical Performance Battery, in which higher scores indicate better physical status, was stable in the intervention group and had declined in the control group; with the mean difference between groups being 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.80, 2.07; P <0.001) at 12 months. There were no major differences between the groups with respect to secondary outcomes. The few adverse events that occurred were exercise-associated musculoskeletal symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frailty and mobility disability can be successfully treated using an interdisciplinary multifaceted treatment program.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12608000250336.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Studies Unit, University of Sydney, PO Box 6, Ryde NSW 1680, Australia. ian.cameron@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fairhall
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Langron
authors.forename: Keri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.forename: Noeline
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Monaghan
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aggar
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sherrington
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kurrle
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*