This trial tested a home-based exercise program called PromeTheus against usual care for community-dwelling older adults who were clinically frail. The participants were at least 70 years old and lived in existing healthcare settings across multiple centers. The program included unsupervised physical exercise at home and optional counseling on nutrition, coping, and home safety.
After 12 months, the group doing the exercise showed better function and physical capacity compared to those receiving usual care. The study also found that more participants in the exercise group improved their frailty status. These benefits were seen in people with lower baseline physical performance.
However, the exercise program did not significantly reduce the rate of falls or improve the measure of life-space. It also did not improve disability for those with higher baseline physical performance. No serious side effects or study-related adverse events were reported during the trial.
Readers should understand that while this program helped with function and frailty in this specific group, it did not prevent falls. The results apply to older adults who are already frail and living in the community.