Effects of a home-based multicomponent exercise programme on frailty in post-cardiac surgery patients: a randomized controlled trial

Aims A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of a home-based multicomponent exercise programme on frailty in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Methods and results A convenience sample of 92 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at two medical centres in Taiwan were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 46) groups. The intervention group underwent a 12-week home-based multicomponent exercise programme, including individual nursing consultation, home-based exercise intervention, nutritional assessment and guidance, and continuous support. The control group did not receive any interventions. Frailty was assessed with the Fried frailty phenotype at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. The prevalence rates of prefrailty and frailty at baseline were 67 and 33%, respectively, and no statistically significant differences in frailty status were noted between the two groups at baseline. However, patients in the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in their frailty scores, handgrip strength, and physical activity than the control group at 6 and 12 weeks post-intervention, with no adverse events reported. Conclusion A home-based multicomponent exercise programme is safe and effective in improving frailty outcomes among post-cardiac surgery patients and is suitable for application in clinical practice. Future studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up are needed to verify the long-term effects of this home-based multicomponent exercise programme.