Meredith, S. J., Holt, Luisa, Grocott, Mike, Jack, Sandy, Murphy, Jane, Varkonyi-Sepp, Judit, Bates, Andrew and Lim, Stephen (2025) Frail2Fit study: a feasibility and acceptability study of an intervention delivered by volunteers to improve frailty. Age and Ageing, 54. (doi:10.1093/ageing/afae277.111).
Abstract
Introduction: physical activity (PA) and replete nutritional status are key to maintaining independence and improving frailty status among frail older adults. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of training volunteers to deliver a remote intervention, comprising exercise, behaviour change, and nutrition support, to older people with frailty after a hospital stay.
Methods: volunteers were trained to deliver a 3-month, multimodal intervention to frail (Clinical Frailty Status ≥5) adults ≥65 years after hospital discharge, using telephone, or online support. Feasibility was assessed by determining the number of volunteers recruited, trained, and retained; participant recruitment; and intervention adherence. Interviews were conducted with 16 older adults, 1 carer, and 5 volunteers to explore intervention acceptability. Secondary outcomes included physical function, appetite, well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-efficacy, and PA. Outcomes were measured and compared at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up (3-months). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: five volunteers (mean age 16, 3 female) completed training, and 3 (60%) were retained at the end of the study. Twenty-seven older adults (mean age 80 years, 15 female) signed up to the intervention (10 online; 13 telephone). Seventeen completed the intervention. Participants attended 75% (IQR 38–92) online sessions, and 80% (IQR 68.5–94.5) telephone support. Self-reported total PA (p = 0.006), quality of life (p = 0.04), and appetite (p = 0.03) improved significantly post-intervention, with a non-significant decrease at follow-up. The intervention was safe and acceptable to volunteers, and older adults with frailty. Key barriers were lack of social support, and exercise discomfort. The online group was a positive vicarious experience, and telephone calls provided reassurance and monitoring to socially isolated older adults.
Conclusion: volunteers can safely deliver a remote multimodal intervention for frail older adults discharged from hospital with training and support from a health practitioner.
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