Frail2Fit study: it was feasible and acceptable for volunteers to deliver a remote health intervention to older adults with frailty - 03/10/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100092

SJ Meredith ^a,^⁎ , L Holt ^b, J Varkonyi-Sepp ^c,^d, A Bates ^b,^e, KA Mackintosh ^f, MA McNarry ^f, S Jack ^b, J Murphy ^g, MPW Grocott ^b,^e, SER Lim ^a,^d
^a NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Wessex and Academic Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
^b Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
^c Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire, UK
^d University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
^e Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust / University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
^f Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
^g Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

^⁎Corresponding author at: Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton NHS TrustTremona RoadSouthamptonSO16 6YDUK

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Abstract

Background

Physical activity (PA) and good nutrition are key to maintaining independence and reversing frailty among older adults.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of training volunteers to deliver a remote multimodal intervention to older people with frailty after hospital discharge.

Design

Quasi-experimental mixed-methods feasibility study.

Setting, and Participants

Twenty-seven older adults (mean age 80 years, 15 female) with frailty (Clinical Frailty Status ≥5) were enrolled from a National Health Service South England hospital, UK.

Intervention

Volunteers were trained to deliver a 3-month intervention, comprising exercise, behaviour change, and nutrition guidance in a group, or one-to-one, using telephone or online platforms.

Measurements

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, and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Secondary health outcomes, such as physical activity and appetite, were compared at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up (3-months).

Results

The intervention was safe and acceptable to volunteers, and older adults with frailty. Five volunteers (mean age 16 years, 3 female) completed training, and 60 % (n = 3) were retained. Seventeen participants completed the intervention (8 online; 9 telephone). Participants attended 75 % (IQR 38–92) online sessions, and 80 % (IQR 68.5–94.5) telephone support. Volunteers provided emotional support to older people with frailty and encouraged health behaviour change. Older people learnt from each other’s shared experiences in the online group, and telephone calls provided them with reassurance and monitoring. Key components to success were volunteers received comprehensive training and support from a health practitioner, while key barriers were that participants lacked social support and experienced exercise discomfort.

Conclusion

With appropriate training and support, volunteers can safely deliver a remote multimodal intervention for older adults with frailty following discharge from hospital.

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Keywords : Older people, Rehabilitation, Deconditioning, Exercise, Nutrition