Effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment-based individually targeted interventions on mobility of pre-frail and frail community-dwelling older people.

AIM: To assess the effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)-based individually targeted interventions on the ability to walk 400 m in pre-frail or frail and non-frail community-dwelling older people.

METHODS

A subgroups analysis of a population-based comparative study, the Geriatric Multidisciplinary Strategy for the Good Care of the Elderly (GeMS) was carried out in the city of Kuopio, Finland, from 2004 to 2007. This study was based on data from 2005 to 2007. The present analysis included 605 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 76 years (mean age 80.9, 70% women), 314 in the intervention and 291 in the control group. Frailty status was assessed in 2005. Mobility was assessed by self-reported ability to walk 400 m. The generalized estimating equation model with binary logistic regression was used to assess the treatment effect of the interventions on the ability to walk 400 m between 2005 and 2007.

RESULTS

In 2005, 55% (n = 173) of the participants in the intervention group and 64% (n = 187) in the control group were pre-frail or frail. The intervention prevented the loss of ability to walk 400 m among pre-frail and frail persons (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.93, P = 0.01). The treatment effect was not statistically significant among non-frail participants (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.68-1.42, P = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

CGA-based individually targeted interventions were effective in preventing mobility limitations among pre-frail and frail older people.