Clinical Research Directory

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.

ASSESSMENT of FRAILTY AS a PROGNOSTIC FACTOR for MORTALITY, DISABILITY, and QUALITY of LIFE AFTER ICU ADMISSION

Between 30% and 40% of elderly patients (over 70 years old) who require hospitalization and treatment in Intensive Care Units (ICU) exhibit a state of frailty. This condition is associated with adverse prognostic factors such as increased in-hospital mortality, functional decline, and a deterioration in their long-term quality of life. Some frail elderly patients may require invasive mechanical ventilation (ventilator) as life support during the acute phase, which has also been linked to adverse prognostic outcomes. Additionally, frailty is common in patients with severe infections, with a high mortality rate, subsequent functional decline, and reduced quality of life following ICU admission.