The goal of this pilot trial is to evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a caregiver-mediated, technology-facilitated home-based intervention named Frailty Improvement through Technology With Informal Caregiver Supported Exercise (FITWISE) for pre-frail and frail community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older.
Frailty is associated with reduced physical function, increased risk of falls, and higher healthcare utilization among older adults. Home-based interventions supported by informal caregivers and facilitated by digital technology may help improve exercise participation and health outcomes in this population.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
1. Whether the FITWISE intervention is feasible in terms of recruitment, participant engagement, adherence, retention, and safety. 2. Whether the FITWISE intervention improves physical performance and other health-related outcomes among pre-frail and frail community-dwelling older adults.
Researchers will compare two intervention groups with a control group to determine whether the FITWISE intervention improves health outcomes.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
* Intervention Group A: Caregiver-mediated multi-component exercise supported by an exergaming system. * Intervention Group B: The same exercise program with additional caregiver-delivered psychosocial support. * Control Group: General health education and usual activities without the FITWISE intervention.
The intervention will last 24 weeks and will include an active 12-week intervention phase followed by a 12-week maintenance phase. Outcome measures such as physical performance, frailty status, cognitive function, social support, quality of life, and selected health indicators will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
Recruited from Lions Befrienders Active Aging Centres (AACs) or Tzu Chi Active Aging Centres (AACs)
Aged 60 to 99 years
Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score of 3 to 5
Identified by the active aging centre as inactive in centre and community activities
Significant cognitive impairment or mental health conditions that prevent understanding of the study or safe participation in the exergaming activity (e.g., moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease)
Pre-existing medical conditions that prohibit exercise or are hemodynamically unstable (e.g., end-stage heart failure)
Physical limitations that hinder participation (e.g., wheelchair-bound)
Severe visual or hearing impairments that would interfere with participation
National University of Singapore
Lead sponsor
Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore)
Collaborator
National University Health System, Singapore
Collaborator
National University Polyclinics, Singapore
Collaborator
Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore)
Collaborator