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

The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to analyze whether the effectiveness of a synchronous telerehabilitation program is better than a face-to-face physical therapy program in improving the physical fitness, functional status, and quality of life in frail male and female volunteers aged 60 years or older living in the community and haven frailty according to the modified Fried phenotype scale. The main research questions are: 1) Is a synchronous telerehabilitation program effective in improving the physical fitness, functional status and quality of life of frail older people?; 2) Is a synchronous telerehabilitation program more effective in improving the physical fitness, functional status and quality of life, compared to face-to-face physical therapy program, in frail older adults? In synchronous telerehabilitation program group, a healthcare professional will supervise up to four or five participants remotely exercising at home during each session, using a real-time videoconferencing app. Participants will be able to see and talk to both the health professional and the other participants. The exercise program will consist of 1-hour sessions carried out twice a week for 12 weeks. In the face-to-face physical therapy group, the exercise sessions will take place in a older person care center, which will also last 1 hour twice a week for 12 weeks. Regardless of the group, exercise sessions will include a mixture of cardiovascular, balance, strength, flexibility, and gait exercises.