Effectiveness of carrying out a multicomponent exercise program for 8 weeks on the general health and balance of a group of older adults with frailty and cognitive impairment: a quasi-experimental pilot study

Background: Population aging is a major achievement, yet frailty; the interaction between aging and chronic disease compromises functional capacity and increases disability risk. Multicomponent physical exercise is a primary strategy to improve fitness, frailty, and balance in older adults with cognitive impairment. Methods : A prospective, multidisciplinary, quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted. The research took place at the facilities of the Fundación Juan Cruzado, a day center for older adults in Andalusia. The study included 17 participants over 65 years of age with frailty diagnosed according to the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Inclusion criteria required that subjects be able to walk (independently or with assistance), have a score ≥ 15 on the Lobo Mini Cognitive Examination (Lobo MEC-35), and be motivated to participate. Patients with severe cognitive impairment, those treated with sedatives or antidepressants, and individuals with specific pathologies such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy were excluded. The intervention program consisted of multicomponent training lasting a total of 8 weeks, during which 50 to 55-minute sessions were held 3 to 5 times per week. All participants received the same intervention and no comparison group was established. The data were analyzed using Jamovi software. For sample size calculation, an a priori power analysis was performed based on previous studies, determining that 19 participants were required to detect an effect size δ ≥ 0.7 with a power of 0.80 and an alpha level of 0.05. Ultimately, the study included an actual sample of 15 subjects who completed the program after two dropouts unrelated to the intervention. Discussion : Implementing this multicomponent exercise program in a day care setting demonstrated that a tailored approach is both safe and feasible for older adults with frailty and cognitive impairment. Operational success relied on individualized supervision to manage the specific needs of this population, resulting in high adherence despite the participants' advanced age. These findings provide valuable insights into how structured physical interventions can effectively mitigate functional decline and improve cognition in complex geriatric profiles. Trial registration : NCT06440733 registered 23/05/2024.