Multicomponent intervention to prevent mobility disability in frail older adults : randomised controlled trial (SPRINTT project)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a multicomponent intervention based on physical activity with technological support and nutritional counselling prevents mobility disability in older adults with physical frailty and sarcopenia. DESIGN Evaluator blinded, randomised controlled trial. SETTING 16 clinical sites across 11 European countries, January 2016 to 31 October 2019. PARTICIPANTS 1519 community dwelling men and women aged 70 years or older with physical frailty and sarcopenia, operationalised as the co-occurrence of low functional status, defined as a short physical performance battery (SPPB) score of 3 to 9, low appendicular lean mass, and ability to independently walk 400 m. 760 participants were randomised to a multicomponent intervention and 759 received education on healthy ageing (controls). INTERVENTIONS The multicomponent intervention comprised moderate intensity physical activity twice weekly at a centre and up to four times weekly at home. Actimetry data were used to tailor the intervention. Participants also received personalised nutritional counselling. Control participants received education on healthy ageing once a month. Interventions and follow-up lasted for up to 36 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was mobility disability (inability to independently walk 400 m in Physical frailty and sarcopenia may be targeted to preserve mobility in vulnerable older people. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02582138.