Table 1 Description of included studies
Study ID country | N randomised | Intervention | Control | Intervention period Follow up period | Outcomes assessed | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USA | 119 | Balance and strength exercises | Flexibility home programme | 9Â months 3, 6 and 9Â months | Performance-based physical functioning Self-reported functioning Balance Muscle strength Quality of life | Significant improvements in exercise group vs control in observed and self-reported functioning. Some differences in balance, muscle strength and quality of life subscales. |
Brown 2000 [27] USA | 87 | Balance and strength exercises | Home range of motion exercises | 3Â months 3Â months | Performance-based physical functioning Muscle strength Balance Gait speed | Significant improvements in observed functioning and balance in exercise group and mixed improvements in muscle strength across different muscle groups. No differences in gait speed. |
Daniel 2012 [30] USA | 23 | 1. Wiifit exercise 2. Seated exercise | Usual activity | 15Â weeks 15Â weeks | Self-reported functioning Physical activity Timed up and go | No statistical comparison between groups; within-group improvements in some aspects of the Senior Fitness test for both exercise groups (between group changes not assessed). Wii group increased physical activity. |
Germany | 69 | 1. Power training 2. Strength training | Usual activity | 12Â weeks 12, 24 and 36Â weeks | Performance-based physical functioning Self-reported functioning Muscle strength | Significant differences in SPPB score changes at 12Â weeks between each exercise intervention and control, but effects not maintained at 24 or 36Â weeks. No differences in muscle strength or self-reported functioning at 12, 24 or 36Â weeks. |
Kwon 2015 [29] Japan | 89 | 1. Strength and balance training + nutrition 2. Strength and balance training alone | General health education sessions | 12Â weeks 3 and 9Â months | Gait speed Balance Muscle strength | No significant differences between any groups in the majority of observed functioning and quality of life domains. |
Brazil | 32 | Resistance exercise | Usual activity | 10 weeks 10 and 20 weeks | Gait speed Timed up and go Muscle strength | Significant improvements in observed function and muscle power in exercise group when both exercise phases (n = 32) compared to first control phase (n = 16), no differences between groups at the end of the first period. |
Upatising 2013 [32] USA | 87 | Telemonitoring | Usual care | 12Â months 6 and 12Â months | Frailty state | No statistical comparison for pre-frail group; slightly higher transitions to non-frail and frail in usual care. |