The study aim was to determine whether an intervention could reduce pre-frailty (defined phenotypically) and improve mobility disability.

We conducted a single centre, randomised, controlled trial among older people who were pre frail in Sydney, Australia. One group received an intervention targeting the identified characteristics of frailty, while the comparison group received the usual healthcare and support services. Outcomes were assessed by a rater masked to treatment allocation at 4 and 12 months after study entry. The primary outcomes were frailty criteria with reference to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, and mobility as assessed by the lower extremity continuous summary performance score (CSPS) calculated from the Short Physical Performance Battery. Secondary outcomes were also assessed.

A total of 194 participants (84%) completed the study. Overall, 38% of participants were men and the mean (SD) age was 81.5 years (5.3). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the mean between group difference in frailty criteria was .062 at 12 months (95% CI −0.24 to 0.36, P=0.7). The change score on the CSPS favoured the intervention group at 4 months (0.11, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.215, P=0.042) but there was no between group difference at 12 months. There were no major differences between the groups with respect to secondary outcomes.

This intervention trial for pre-frail older people did not show a benefit on frailty of a multifactorial interdisciplinary intervention. The same intervention had positive effects in frail older people and the reasons for the difference are currently unclear.