An observational study in Frailty, sponsored by Universidade do Porto. Completed at 1 site in Portugal. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-03-11.
Sponsored by Universidade do Porto · Observational
This cohort of older adults residing in nursing homes in Porto Metropolitan Area aims to monitor the health, intrinsic capacity and functional capacity over time. Through systematic data collection and analysis, the observatory provides valuable insights into aging, frailty, and long-term care needs, informing policies and interventions to enhance older adults care. This cohort aims to recruit 400 individuals aged 65 years or more at baseline.All participants will be invited for a re-assessment every year, while the overall duration is planned for four years.
The Observatory of the Older Person is a cohort study designed to enhance understanding of the aging process among older adults in nursing homes. The study aims to generate insights into the determinants of functional and intrinsic capacity, identify factors influencing independence, and develop targeted interventions to improve well-being in this population.
Specifically, it aims:
By addressing these objectives, this study will contribute to evidence-based strategies for improving health, independence, and quality of life in nursing home residents.All participants will be invited for a re-assessment every year, while the overall duration is planned for four years. Findings may also inform policies and best practices to enhance care models within long-term care facilities.
1,199 studies on the registry are indexed under Frailty; 430 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 400 is above the median of 223 across 496 observational studies indexed under Frailty.
Browse Frailty studies →Universidade do Porto is the lead sponsor of 170 studies on the registry; 52 are open to participants now.
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Individuals living in public nursing homes in Porto Metropolitan Area
Exclusion Criteria:
As part of the broader Observatory of the Older Person cohort, we aim to conduct a pragmatic exercise trial in a subgroup of nursing home residents. This trial seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of a concurrent exercise intervention on frailty, functional capacity, independence in activities of daily living and falls rate in real-world settings.
short physical performance battery (SPPB)
The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a standardised assessment tool of lower limb function, testing 3 dimensions: standing balance, walking speed, and chair stands. Each component is scored between 0-4, total score from 0 (poor performance) to 12 (best performance).
Time frame: 4 years
Handgrip strength
Handgrip strength will be obtained with a Jamar Plus + Digital hand dynamometer (Sammons Preston Inc., Bolingbrook, Illinois, USA).Measurements will be carried out following the American Society of Hand Therapists recommendations, and each participant will perform three attempts with a pause of 15s between trials
Time frame: 4 years
Barthel Index
The Barthel Index (BI) is a standardized tool used to assess a person's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) independently. It measures 10 basic functions, including feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, and stair climbing, with scores ranging from 0 (fully dependent) to 100 (fully independent)
Time frame: 4 years
Falls in the last 12 months
A retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify and document instances of falls reported within the last 12 months
Time frame: 4 years
Falls rate
A retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify athe number of falls reported within the last 12 months
Time frame: 4 years
Frailty status
The frailty phenotype is a clinical model that identifies frailty in older adults based on five criteria: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slow walking speed, and weak grip strength. Individuals meeting three or more criteria are classified as frail, two as pre-frail, and none as robust. It helps in identifying at-risk individuals for adverse outcomes and targeting interventions to prevent further decline.
Time frame: 4 years
Times Using the Healthcare System in the Last 6 Months
The number of healthcare encounters (e.g., hospital admissions, emergency department visits, outpatient consultations, and telehealth appointments) within the past six months
Time frame: 4 years
Mini Mental State Examination
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a brief, structured tool used to assess cognitive function and screen for dementia. It consists of 30 questions covering areas such as orientation, memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills. The MMSE is scored out of 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. It is widely used in clinical settings to detect cognitive impairments, monitor changes in cognitive function over time, and assess the severity of cognitive decline. Scores are interpreted based on age and education level, with a lower score suggesting potential cognitive deficits.
Time frame: 4 years
Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF)
The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) is a simplified version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) designed to quickly assess the nutritional status of older adults. It consists of 6 questions, covering aspects such as weight loss, mobility, and food intake, which provide a quick screening for malnutrition risk. The MNA-SF is useful for identifying individuals who may be at risk of malnutrition and is often used in clinical settings for routine assessments. Based on the score, individuals are categorized as well-nourished, at risk of malnutrition, or malnourished, allowing for timely nutrition interventions.
Time frame: 4 years
Weight
Assessment of body weight using Inbody 120, which is a body composition analyzer that uses bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Time frame: 4 years
Plan to share: No
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This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Universidade do Porto