The Role of Chair Exercise and Intergenerational Activities in Older Adults With Physico-Cognitive Decline Syndrome: An Investigation of Frailty and Serum Mature Brain-Dervied Neurotrophic Factor Level
The Role of Chair Exercise and Intergenerational Activities in Older Adults With Physico-Cognitive Decline Syndrome: An Investigation of Frailty and Serum Mature Brain-Dervied Neurotrophic Factor Level
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of chair exercise followed by intergenerational activity in frailty syndrome and changes in serum mBDN levels among older adults with Physio-Cognitive Decline Syndrome (PCDS), as a novel approach integrating physical and social intervention with biomolecular assessments
In older adults with PCDS
Intervention Group
Participants will undergo a 12-week structured chair exercise program, conducted with a trained exercise instructor and supervised by a physician for vital sign monitoring during each session. The frequency of sessions will increase progressively:
Additional activities include (intervention and control group):
Additional Activity (intervention group)
- Weeks 13-16: intergenerational activities at an orphanage with children aged >5 years
Assessments (intervention and control group):
Control Group:
The participant will receive general health education on performing physical exercise 1-3 times per week throughout week 1-16
Population aging in Indonesia has led to a growing proportion of older adults experiencing functional and cognitive decline. Physio-cognitive decline syndrome (PCDS), defined as the coexistence of reduced physical performance (such as slow gait speed or weak handgrip strength) and mild cognitive impairment without disability or dementia, is considered an early and reversible stage that increases the risk of frailty, disability, and poor quality of life.
Chair exercise provides a safe and feasible intervention for older adults, with proven benefits in muscle strength, balance, and neurocognitive function, partly mediated through increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In parallel, an intergenerational activity involving direct interaction between older and younger individuals has shown promise in improving psychosocial well-being and cognitive outcomes.
This study integrates chair exercise with intergenerational activities to target the multidimensional nature of PCDS. Outcomes will focus on frailty status and changes in serum mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) to establish a multimodal, culturally adapted strategy to support healthy aging in Indonesian older adults.