Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program on Frailty, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Quality in Older Adults

Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program on Frailty, Cognitive Function, and Sleep Quality in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study was aimed to examine the effects of participation in a 12-week multicomponent exercise program on frailty, cognitive function, and sleep quality among older adults.

The primary research questions of this study are as follows:

1. Is a multicomponent exercise program effective in reducing frailty levels in older adults?
2. Is a multicomponent exercise program effective in improving cognitive functions (memory, attention, and executive functions) in older adults?
3. Is a multicomponent exercise program effective in improving sleep quality in older adults? The study hypothesizes that participation in a multicomponent exercise program will lead to a reduction in frailty levels, improvement in cognitive functions, and enhancement of sleep quality among older adults.

Researchers were compared the multicomponent exercise program to a control group (no intervention) to see if the multicomponent exercise program works on frailty, cognitive function, and sleep quality among older adults.

Intervention group participants were:

- attended the multicomponent exercise program, 12-week period, with sessions held twice weekly, each lasting 45-60 minutes, in groups of 6-8 participants at a municipally affiliated healthy living center under nurse supervision.

The study was conducted with elderly individuals aged 65 and over enrolled in a municipal wellness centre meeting the inclusion-exclusion criteria. A total of 110 elderly individuals were included in the study. These individuals were randomly assigned to two groups: intervention and control groups. Pre-test data were collected November 2025 in a quiet room at the wellness centre by outcome assessors from both the intervention and control groups using the "Personal Information Form", "Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS)", "Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)" and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)" on a self-report basis. The Multicomponent Exercise Program was administered to the intervention group for 12 weeks, twice a week, in groups of 6-8 people, in sessions lasting 45-60 minutes each, under nurse supervision. At the end of the Multicomponent Exercise Program, both the intervention and control groups were administered the "Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS)", "Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)" and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)" as a post-test between January and February 2026. The control group received no intervention during the 12-week program; individuals continued with their daily living activities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 65 years or older, absence of severe physical disability,
• no medical contraindications to exercise,
• a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24 indicating no significant cognitive impairment,
• provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• the presence of severe cardiovascular disease,
• diagnosed cognitive impairment (MMSE <24),
• any condition that could prevent participation in physical exercise.