Abstract

Background: Frailty is associated with reduced mobility and a higher risk of falls. This study examined the impact of integrated care, particularly Vivifrail-based training guidance, on the mobility and fall incidence in frail patients.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included pre-frail or frail individuals aged ≥ 55 years attending a geriatric clinic. The integrated care model involved geriatric assessment, case management, and Vivifrail-based physical training guidance. Datawere collected before and after a 2-month program focusing on geriatric assessment components, mobility, exercise habits, and fall incidence. Changes were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar tests.

Results: Among the 62 participants (average age: 77.2 ± 8.8 years; 56.5% females), significant improvements were observed during follow-up. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form scores increased from 10.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.0) to 12.0 (IQR: 3.0) (p < 0.001). Mobility improved, with Short Physical Performance Battery scores rising from 8.0 (IQR: 5.5) to 9.0 (IQR: 7.2) (p = 0.020) and 4 m gait speed improving from 0.60 m/s to 0.73m/s (p = 0.025). Establishing exercise habits over the past month increased significantly from 25 (40.3%) to 44 individuals (71.0%) (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the incidence of falls over the previous three months decreased from23 (37.1%) to 12 individuals (19.4%) (p = 0.019).

Conclusion: This study emphasizes that an integrated care model with Vivifrail-based training guidance may enhance mobility and reduce the risk of falls in pre-frail and frail older adults.