04/2026 journal articles
EDITORIAL: CHALLENGES IN ASSESSING MUSCLE FUNCTION WITHIN SARCOPENIA AND INTRINSIC CAPACITY FRAMEWORKS
D Azzolino, T Lucchi
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
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CITATION:
D Azzolino ; T Lucchi (2025): Editorial: Challenges in assessing muscle function within sarcopenia and intrinsic capacity frameworks. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100162
EDITORIAL: “THIS HAS NO FLAVOR”: BALANCING NUTRITION, TASTE, AND SALT RESTRICTION IN GERIATRIC CARE UNITS
Emanuele Marzetti, Riccardo Calvani, Isabel Rodriguez Sanchez, Hélio Jose Coelho-Junior
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summarySalt (sodium chloride, NaCl) has played a fundamental role in human history, not only as a dietary component but also as a cultural, symbolic, and economic resource. Global salt intake remains high and heterogeneous, with marked geographical variation in both consumption levels and dietary sources. Numerous studies have shown significant associations between salt consumption and adverse health outcomes. Hospitals have implemented salt-restriction strategies that may have unintended consequences for food palatability and nutritional intake, particularly among older adults. In geriatric settings, where appetite-related disorders such as dysgeusia, dysphagia, and xerostomia are common, strict dietary sodium restriction may further compromise food consumption and increase the risk of malnutrition. Here, we discuss the potential implications of salt restriction in acute geriatric care, highlighting its possible impact on dietary intake, palatability and nutritional status.
CITATION:
Emanuele Marzetti ; Riccardo Calvani ; Isabel Rodriguez Sanchez ; Hélio Jose Coelho-Junior (2025): Editorial: “This has no flavor”: balancing nutrition, taste, and salt restriction in geriatric care units. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100183
METABOLOMIC PROFILES OF DIETARY EXPOSURE ASSOCIATED WITH FRAILTY IN OLDER ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Samar El Sherbiny, Evgeniia Puzankova, Miriam Martínez-Huélamo, Natàlia Garcia-Giralt, Jose Antonio Carnicero Carreño, Leocadio Rodriguez Mañas, Jose Antonio Serra Rexach, Francisco José García García, Xavier Nogués, Pedro Abizanda Soler, Cristina Andrés-Lacueva, Montserrat Rabassa
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryFrailty is defined by the World Health Organization as a state of increased vulnerability in older adults, characterized by a decline in physiological functions across multiple systems and heightened sensitivity to external stressors. The global prevalence of frailty is expected to rise due to population ageing, highlighting the need for effective preventive strategies. However, while diet can play a crucial role in this context, their relationship is complex and potentially bidirectional: unhealthy dietary patterns may contribute to the onset of frailty, whereas early stages of frailty may influence food choices through limitations in meal preparation, and appetite. Hence, identifying biomarkers associated with frailty phenotypes may help clarify these mechanisms and improve prevention strategies. This systematic review aims to summarize current evidence on metabolomics-derived biomarkers potentially involved in the relationship between dietary patterns and frailty. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, yielding 1661 studies, of which five met the inclusion criteria. Three dietary exposures were identified and analyzed: fruit and vegetable, plant/animal protein intake, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The findings suggest that specific metabolites, such as hippuric acid, different amino acids, and lipid derived compounds may represent potential candidates for establishing a metabolic signature of frailty. Nevertheless, current evidence remains limited and unclear about the direction of associations. Further research is needed, particularly in healthy populations, to validate the effectiveness of these biomarkers, and tailor guidelines specific for older adults.
CITATION:
Samar El Sherbiny ; Evgeniia Puzankova ; Miriam Martínez-Huélamo ; Natàlia Garcia-Giralt ; Jose Antonio Carnicero Carreño ; Leocadio Rodriguez Mañas ; Jose Antonio Serra Rexach ; Francisco José García García ; Xavier Nogués ; Pedro Abizanda Soler ; Cristina Andrés-Lacueva ; Montserrat Rabassa (2025): Metabolomic profiles of dietary exposure associated with frailty in older adults: A systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100163
PHENOTYPES OF FRAILTY AND THEIR MORTALITY AND DISABILITY IMPLICATIONS
Lorena Suárez Portugués, José A. Carnicero, Alonso Sepúlveda Martínez, Fabio A. Quiñónez Bareiro, Ana Alfaro Acha, Ignacio Ara, Leocadio Rodriguez Mañas, Francisco J. García García
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome defined as increased vulnerability to stressors due to dysfunction in multiple physiological systems, measured by different tools.
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether participants characterized as frail by multiple scales simultaneously have differentiated risks.
DESIGN: Prospective population-based cohort study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults from the first wave of The Toledo Study for Healthy Aging (TSHA), including a total of 1.563 participants with a mean age of 74.51 years. Frailty was assessed using three tools: the Frailty Index (FI), the Fried Phenotype, and the Frailty Trait Scale (FTS-5). Eight groups were defined based on the presence or absence of frailty according to these scales. Associations between frailty categories and outcomes were evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models for mortality and logistic regression models for incident and worsening disability.
RESULTS: The FTS-5 scale identified the highest number of frail participants, suggesting it may be the most sensitive tool for detecting early physiological changes related to aging. Risk of adverse events varied depending on the specific combination of frailty criteria met. Individuals classified as frail by both FTS-5 and FI exhibited the highest mortality risk, exceeding that of participants frail on all three scales. Regarding worsening health or disability, the highest risk was among those frails on all three scales, followed closely by the FTS-5-FI group.
CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight variability in frailty assessment, showing that different instruments capture complementary aspects of frailty and that their combined use may improve risk stratification.
CITATION:
Lorena Suárez Portugués ; José A. Carnicero ; Alonso Sepúlveda Martínez ; Fabio A. Quiñónez Bareiro ; Ana Alfaro Acha ; Ignacio Ara ; Leocadio Rodriguez Mañas ; Francisco J. García García (2025): Phenotypes of frailty and their mortality and disability implications. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100164
COMPARING TWO METHODS TO QUANTIFY PHYSICAL RESILIENCE
Heather E. Whitson, Marissa Ashner, Virginia B. Kraus, Sarah Peskoe, Janet L. Huebner, Corey B. Simon, Katherine Hall, Cathleen Colon-Emeric
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryPhysical resilience, conceptualized as the extent of observed recovery after a health stressor, is an important construct in research on aging and frailty. Various methods have been proposed to quantify physical resilience using repeated measures of health or function following a stressor. The purpose of this analysis is to directly compare two alternative approaches to quantifying physical resilience – the recovery trajectory (RT) and the expected recovery differential (ERD) – using data from 170 older adults in an observational study of elective knee replacement surgery. Each participant’s resilience, based on repeated measures of pain interference over 6 months after surgery, was determined using both the RT and the ERD method. The 10 individuals classified as high resilience based on RT also had better-than-expected recovery based on ERD. However, ERD scores were more variable among individuals classified by RT as moderate resilience (n = 82). Of those classified as low resilience (n = 78) by RT, most (85.9%) also had worse-than-expected recovery based on ERD. In this head-to-head comparison of two conceptually distinct approaches for quantifying resilience after a health stressor, the results were most comparable in individuals at extremes of high or low recovery patterns. Each approach has merit for quantifying physical resilience after a health stressor, and factors that may influence the choice of method and interpretation of results are discussed.
CITATION:
Heather E. Whitson ; Marissa Ashner ; Virginia B. Kraus ; Sarah Peskoe ; Janet L. Huebner ; Corey B. Simon ; Katherine Hall ; Cathleen Colon-Emeric (2025): Comparing two methods to quantify physical resilience. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100179
EXERCISE TO PREVENT FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL FRAILTY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Poonam Mehta, Eduardo Caldas Costa, Leony Morgana Galliano, Lara Vlietstra, Bruno T Saragiotto, Eduardo Lusa Cadore, Mikel Izquierdo, Debra L. Waters
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryINTRODUCTION: Physical frailty is associated with increased risk of falls. Although exercise mitigates age-related declines, evidence regarding its effects on falls in older adults with frailty is limited. This systematic review examined the effects of exercise on fall-related outcomes in older adults with frailty.
METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL for randomised controlled trials published from 2001 (when the Fried frailty phenotype was introduced) to January 2024. Eligible studies included older adults with frailty and reported at least one of the following outcomes: i) physical function (gait speed, strength, balance), ii) fear of falling, or iii) falls incidence. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models, with results presented as weighted/standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS: Fourteen studies (n = 2719; mean age range 73–86 years) were included, most of which used the Fried frailty phenotype (n = 12) and were conducted in Europe (n = 6). Most interventions included multicomponent (n = 10) and resistance (n = 4) training. Exercise improved gait speed (MD 0.09 m/s, 0.02/0.15; I2=94%; n = 5), TUG (MD -3.73 s, -5.92/-1.55; I2=95%; n = 6), and 5-times sit-to-stand (MD -2.66 s, -4.19/-1.14; I2=77%; n = 4) over short-term period (≤12 weeks), with low-to-very low certainty evidence. A trend toward improved balance was also noted (SMD 2.80, -0.17/5.76; p = 0.06; I²=99%; n = 5), with very low certainty evidence. Limited data was observed for fear of falling (n = 1) and falls incidence (n = 2).
CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training enhances physical function in older adults with physical frailty. However, its impact on fear of falling and fall incidence remains uncertain.
CITATION:
Poonam Mehta ; Eduardo Caldas Costa ; Leony Morgana Galliano ; Lara Vlietstra ; Bruno T Saragiotto ; Eduardo Lusa Cadore ; Mikel Izquierdo ; Debra L. Waters (2026): Exercise to prevent falls in older adults with physical frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100187
FRAILTY DIMENSIONS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN RELATION TO DUAL-TASK COST: A MULTIDOMAIN ANALYSIS IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS
Louise Heyzer, Kristabella Low, Cai Ning Tan, Audrey Yeo, Jia Qian Chia, Justin Chew, Joanne Kua, Wee Shiong Lim
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND: Dual-task cost (DTC) is the performance decline observed during simultaneous motor and cognitive tasks. It is associated with cognitive and physiological vulnerability. However, it remains unclear how specific frailty dimensions and cognitive domains contribute to DTC during arithmetic and verbal fluency tasks.
OBJECTIVES: We aim to investigate the independent associations between physical, social and oral frailty dimensions versus cognition function with DTC in community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS: We studied 281 participants from the GeriLABS-2 study. Physical frailty was assessed using Fried’s Frailty Phenotype, social frailty using the 8-item Social Frailty Scale (SF8) and oral frailty using the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8). Cognitive function was assessed with Chinese Mini Mental State Examination (CMMSE) and Chinese Frontal Assessment Battery (CFAB). DTC on gait was assessed with arithmetic (counting backwards from 100) and verbal fluency (animal naming) cognitive tasks. Association of DTC with frailty dimensions and cognition were evaluated via hierarchical linear regression, adjusted for demographics.
RESULTS: Higher CFAB score was significantly associated with lower DTC in both arithmetic (B=-2.067, p < 0.001) and verbal fluency (B=-1.489, p = 0.020) tasks, suggesting individuals with better executive function showed lower DTC. Social frailty (Factor 2 – social activity and financial resources) and oral frailty (Factor 3 – dietary and social habits) were significantly associated with DTC for arithmetic task (B = 2.664, p = 0.030; B = 3.718, p = 0.007). No significant association was observed for physical frailty. The final composite model showed that CFAB has a significant associated with DTC arithmetic (B=-2.012, p < 0.001) and DTC verbal fluency (B=-1.537, p = 0.016) tasks.
CONCLUSION: Cognitive frailty, particularly executive dysfunction, is a key factor contributing to difficulties with dual tasking. Social and oral frailty factors may influence DTC during arithmetic tasks, however their effects were attenuated after adjusting for cognition. Interventions addressing cognitive frailty may be a promising target for mitigating DTC in older adults.
CITATION:
Louise Heyzer ; Kristabella Low ; Cai Ning Tan ; Audrey Yeo ; Jia Qian Chia ; Justin Chew ; Joanne Kua ; Wee Shiong Lim (2025): Frailty dimensions and cognitive function in relation to dual-task cost: A multidomain analysis in community-dwelling older adults. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100166
INCIDENT DEMENTIA RISK BY FRAILTY STATUS AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS IN OLDER ADULTS
Kate McEwen, Suraj Samtani, Rory Chen, John D. Crawford, Perminder S. Sachdev, Katya Numbers
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND: Frailty and social isolation are independently associated with dementia risk. This study examined whether frailty predicts dementia differently for older adults living alone versus with others.
METHODS: Participants were 967 community-dwelling, dementia-free older adults from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (2005–2020). Frailty was assessed using an adapted Fried Frailty Phenotype (robust, pre-frail, frail). Dementia was diagnosed via biennial neuropsychological testing and clinical consensus. Cox regressions analysed associations between baseline frailty, living arrangements (alone vs. with others), and incident dementia over 12 years.
RESULT: Frail individuals had 1.74 times higher dementia risk than robust individuals (HR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.16–2.60, p = .007). Living alone was not independently associated with dementia (HR = 1.03, p = .825). The interaction between frailty and living arrangements was non-significant (HR = 1.23, p = 0.600). Exploratory stratified analyses showed frailty predicted dementia among those living alone (HR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.06–3.51, p = .033) but not those living with others (HR = 1.42, p = 0.224).
CONCLUSION: Frailty is a significant predictor of dementia risk in older adults. While the formal interaction test was non-significant, exploratory findings suggest frail individuals living alone may be particularly vulnerable, warranting further investigation and potential targeting for combined physical and social interventions, pending replication.
CITATION:
Kate McEwen ; Suraj Samtani ; Rory Chen ; John D. Crawford ; Perminder S. Sachdev ; Henry Brodaty ; Katya Numbers (2026): Incident dementia risk by frailty status and living arrangements in older adults. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100185
COMPARING TWO COMMON FRAILTY MEASURES IN THE RESIDENT ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT IN HOME CARE (RAI-HC): A CROSS-SECTIONAL COHORT STUDY IN ALBERTA
Jananee Rasiah, Andrea Gruneir, Jeffrey Poss, Jayna Holroyd-Leduc, Greta.G. Cummings
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND: Many older adults living with frailty rely on publicly funded home care services; however, the health profile of home care clients in Alberta is not well characterized, particularly regarding how different frailty measures embedded within the Resident Assessment Instrument in Home Care (RAI-HC) classify frailty. We aimed to compare the Changes in Health, End-stage disease and Signs Scale (CHESS) and the 72-item Frailty Index (Full FI) in this study.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using Alberta population-based administrative data linked to RAI-HC assessments for long-stay home care clients aged 65–104 years (N = 19,916) between 2015 and 2016. Various health and functional characteristics were summarized across robust, pre-frail, and frail groups as defined by CHESS and Full FI. Group differences were examined using chi-square tests, and agreement between measures was assessed using a weighted kappa statistic.
RESULTS: Frailty prevalence differed markedly by measure: 27% were classified as frail using CHESS compared with 11% using the Full FI. Agreement between measures was fair (k = 0.31), reflecting their measurement of different constructs; acute health instability (CHESS) versus multidimensional deficit accumulation (Full FI).
CONCLUSIONS: Differences in frailty classification underscore the conceptual distinctions between CHESS and the Full FI. The Full FI is feasible to derive from RAI-HC data and may better identify modifiable deficits relevant to care planning, while CHESS is more sensitive to acute deterioration. Using both measures together may enhance frailty identification, support tailored home care interventions, and improve resource allocation for older adults aging in place.
CITATION:
Jananee Rasiah ; Andrea Gruneir ; Jeffrey Poss ; Jayna Holroyd-Leduc ; Greta.G. Cummings (2026): Comparing two common frailty measures in the resident assessment instrument in home care (RAI-HC): a cross-sectional cohort study in Alberta. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100165
EXPLORING SEX DIFFERENCES IN FRAILTY AND HOSPITALIZATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH DIABETES IN VIETNAM
Tan Van Nguyen, Dung Ngoc Truong, Wei Jin Wong, Mark Woodward
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND: Older adults with diabetes often face multiple health challenges such as frailty. Sex-related differences in frailty may influence health outcomes in this population. This study sought to examine the prevalence of frailty in older adults with type 2 diabetes in an older cohort in Vietnam, and the association between frailty and hospitalizations, with a focus on sex disparities.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: An observational cohort study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Vietnam from November 2022 to June 2023. Patients aged 60 years or above with type 2 diabetes that visited the cardio-metabolic clinics during the study period were recruited. Frailty was measured using Fried’s frailty criteria. Logistic regression models were applied to examine the association between frailty and all-cause hospitalization over 6 months. Ratios of odds ratios (ORs) were computed to quantify the sex difference.
RESULTS: There were 644 participants, with a mean age of 71.8 years (SD 7.6), and 30.0% were classified as frail. The prevalence of frailty in women was higher compared to men (31.3%vs 28.8%, p < 0.001). The adjusted ORs of frailty on 6-month all-cause hospitalization were 3.30 (95% CI 1.37–7.98) in women, and 2.01 (95% CI 0.88–4.59) in men.
CONCLUSIONS: In this study, frailty was more prevalent in women and was associated with an increased risk of hospitalizations in women than in men. This study adds to the understanding of how frailty and sex influence health outcomes in older adults with diabetes, implying the need for sex-specific approaches in managing diabetes in older adults.
CITATION:
Tan Van Nguyen ; Dung Ngoc Truong ; Wei Jin Wong ; Mark Woodward ; Tu Nguyen (2025): Exploring sex differences in frailty and hospitalization among older adults with diabetes in Vietnam. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100168
SCREENING OF INTRINSIC CAPACITY IMPAIRMENT IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN CAMEROON: A NATIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Thierry Roland Njille Ehawa, Gustave Mabiama, Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba, Christine Fernande Nyangono Biyegue, Maturin Tabue-Teguo, Isabelle Bourdel-Marchasson
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryOBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intrinsic capacity (IC) impairment among community-dwelling older adults in Cameroon, and to assess the applicability of ICOPE Step 1 cutoffs for nutrition and locomotion.
METHODS: A national cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024 across the ten regions of Cameroon. A two-stage sampling method was used to include 597 older adults (≥ 60 years). IC was assessed using step 1 of the Integrated Care to Older People (ICOPE) screening tool. For validation, Step 1 vitality was compared against the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF), and Step 1 locomotion against the Rosow-Breslau disability score. Any impairment reported for one of the IC domains was considered as positive screening. A p-value < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance.
RESULTS: A total of 597 participants were included with a majority of women (54.9 %). The median age was 68 (interquartile range 63–73) years. Furthermore, validation analyses showed that impaired vitality at Step 1 had a sensitivity of 62.7 % and a specificity of 77.3 %. The PPV was 84.3 % and a significant agreement was found (K = 0.357; p < 0.001). Regarding locomotion, a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) in Rosow-Breslau mean scores was observed between participants with and without an alert (1.23 vs 2.19, respectively), validating the tool for physical disability screening in this context. Overall, 96.8 % had at least one impaired domain. Nineteen participants (3.2 %) had no impaired domain, while 61 (10.2 %) had impairment in one domain. A total of 134 participants (22.4 %) presented impairment in two domains and 162 (27.1 %) in three domains. Impairment in four domains was observed in 114 participants (19.1 %), whereas 80 participants (13.4 %) had five affected domains. The highest level of impairment, involving all six domains was found in 27 participants (4.5 %). The most frequently affected domains were locomotion (81.4 %), psychological well-being (73.4 %) and vision (60 %).
CONCLUSION: Intrinsic capacity impairment is highly prevalent among older adults in Cameroon. Our findings support the validity and applicability of the ICOPE Step 1 tool for community-based screening, particularly for the vitality and locomotion domains. Integrating this tool into primary care could facilitate early identification of geriatric syndromes.
CITATION:
Thierry Roland Njille Ehawa ; Gustave Mabiama ; Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba ; Christine Fernande Nyangono Biyegue ; Maturin Tabue-Teguo ; Isabelle Bourdel-Marchasson (2025): Screening of intrinsic capacity impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Cameroon: A national cross-sectional study. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100167
EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERVENTIONS USING ACTIVITY TRACKERS AND SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS FOR INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS
Nusrat Hamdani, Bruno T Saragiotto, Peter Stubbs, Juliana Oliveira, Anne Tiedemann, Paloma Santana, Gabriel Ferretti, Arianne Verhagen, Poonam Mehta
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that physical activity is fundamental to healthy ageing and is associated with prevention of chronic diseases, reduced frailty risk, and premature mortality in older adults.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions using activity trackers and smartphone applications for increasing physical activity (steps per day) in people aged ≥60 years with an underlying health condition.
METHODS: Six databases were searched from inception to January 2025. We included randomised controlled trials of interventions that used activity trackers or smartphone applications, to promote physical activity among people aged ≥60 years with an underlying health condition, compared to minimal interventions or other active interventions.
RESULTS: We identified 44 trials (n = 4148). Compared with minimal intervention, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of activity trackers on physical activity in the short term (near to intervention completion) (MD 1671 steps, 95% CI 1113 to 2229; I² = 90%, 37 trials). At 12 months, activity trackers probably increase physical activity compared with no or minimal intervention (MD 1838 steps, 95% CI 980 to 2696; I² = 64%, 6 trials; moderate certainty). At 6 months and 24 months, the effect of activity trackers on steps was uncertain. Subgroup analyses suggest activity trackers may improve physical activity across metabolic, neurological, and pulmonary conditions based on moderate to low certainty evidence.
CONCLUSION: Interventions using activity trackers may increase physical activity in the short term, although the evidence is very uncertain, and probably increase physical activity at approximately 12 months. Effects at intermediate-term and 24-month follow-up remain uncertain. Effects on mobility, quality of life and mental health were unclear or small.
CITATION:
Nusrat Hamdani ; Bruno T Saragiotto ; Peter Stubbs ; Juliana Oliveira ; Anne Tiedemann ; Catherine Sherrington ; Paloma Santana ; Gabriel Ferretti ; Arianne Verhagen ; Poonam Mehta ; ; (2026): Effectiveness of interventions using activity trackers and smartphone applications for increasing physical activity in older adults with health conditions: a systematic review with meta-analysis. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease (JPAD). https://dx.doi.org/110.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100180
RESEARCH ON THE MODERATING ROLE OF AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTRINSIC CAPACITY AND FUNCTIONAL ABILITY
Hongsai Zhang, Shuqin Xiao, Luqi Dong, Xian Ma, Weiyao Li
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
Show summaryHide summaryBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Maintaining functional ability (FA) is the core goal of healthy aging. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that FA is shaped by intrinsic capacity (IC) , the environment, and their interaction. However, this interaction remains underexplored. This study investigated the moderating role of age-friendly community environments in the IC–functional performance relationship among older adults to inform targeted environmental interventions for disability prevention and healthy aging.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and October 2024 using convenience sampling to recruit 256 older adults from three distinct community contexts in Beijing. Data were collected via structured questionnaires, including demographic and health-related variables, the WHO Intrinsic Capacity Instrument, and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses were performed to examine the interactions between IC and age-friendly environments.
RESULTS: Of 256 participants, 20.3% (n = 52) had IADL impairment. Age-friendly environments significantly mitigated the negative impact of declining IC on IADL (B = -0.284, P = 0.002), with housing showing the strongest overall effect (B = -0.281, P < 0.001). The buffering effect was most notable in individuals with low IC (B = -3.034, P = 0.010). Stratified results: (1) Low IC: housing (B = -1.913, P = 0.015) and social participation (B = -1.281, P = 0.024) were key; (2) Moderate IC: transportation (B=-0.191, P = 0.003) and social participation (B = -0.267, P = 0.013); (3) High IC: only social inclusion/health services worked (B = -0.576, P = 0.029).
CONCLUSION: Age-friendly community environments are crucial for maintaining functional performance, with varying effects depending on IC level, highlighting the importance of developing tailored and personalized supportive environments to promote healthy aging.
CITATION:
Hongsai Zhang ; Shuqin Xiao ; Luqi Dong ; Xian Ma ; Weiyao Li (2026): Research on the moderating role of age-friendly communities in the relationship between intrinsic capacity and functional ability. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2026.8
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: AN OLD DOG TEACHING US NEW TRICKS IN AGEING BIOLOGY
Olga Maria de Silvério Carvalho, Aya Abukwaik, Ola Sultan, Louis J Koizia, Benjamin H L Harris
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
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CITATION:
Olga Maria de Silvério Carvalho ; Aya Abukwaik ; Ola Sultan ; Louis J Koizia ; Benjamin H L Harris (2025): Letter to the Editor: An OLD DOG teaching us new tricks in ageing biology. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100181
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: FROM HEALTH LITERACY TO CAPACITY PRESERVATION: ADVANCING THE NEXT STEP IN MIDLIFE FRAILTY PREVENTION
Sitti Johri Nasela, Zulfikar Peluw, Muhammad Taufan Umasugi
J Frailty Aging 2026;15(4)
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CITATION:
Sitti Johri Nasela ; Zulfikar Peluw ; Muhammad Taufan Umasugi (2025): Letter to the Editor: From health literacy to capacity preservation: advancing the next step in midlife frailty prevention. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2026.100182