Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42215862›Full record

Trial reportBMC geriatrics2026

Effects of a TUG-based graded multi-component exercise program for reversing frailty in community-dwelling older adults: a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Jin Yan, Bingjie Lu, Cheng Qin, Zhihui Zhu, Ning Di, Cunmei Yang, Qiuli Xu, Xiao Bai, Jian Liu, Rongxia Chen and 4 more

Abstract readMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Jin YanGraduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Bingjie LuMudanjiang Hospital of Beidahuang Group, Mishan, 158300, China.
Cheng QinThe Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Zhihui ZhuQuzhou Experimental Education Group, Quzhou, 324000, China.
Ning DiBaoding University of Technology, Baoding, 071000, China.
Cunmei YangThe Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Qiuli XuThe Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Xiao BaiThe outpatient Department of Comprehensive Service Guarantee Center of the Veteran Cadre Service Administration of the Beijing Garrison District, Beijing, 100032, China.
Jian LiuThe outpatient Department of Comprehensive Service Guarantee Center of the Veteran Cadre Service Administration of the Beijing Garrison District, Beijing, 100032, China.
Rongxia ChenThe outpatient Department of Comprehensive Service Guarantee Center of the Veteran Cadre Service Administration of the Beijing Garrison District, Beijing, 100032, China.
Chaobo WangThe outpatient Department of Comprehensive Service Guarantee Center of the Veteran Cadre Service Administration of the Beijing Garrison District, Beijing, 100032, China.
Zheng LiuGraduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Li FanThe Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China. fl6698@163.com.
Yixin HuThe Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China. chhyxcn@126.com.

Funding

Healthcare Fund 24BJZ26Key Research and Development Plan of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region 2024BEG02032
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFrailty is a prevalent yet reversible condition in older adults. While exercise is a cornerstone intervention, the optimal protocols tailored to varying functional levels remain underdefined. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a Timed Up and Go (TUG)-based graded multi-component exercise (GME) program in reversing frailty among community-dwelling older adults.

methodsThis study was a multi-center, parallel-group, superiority randomized controlled trial conducted in community settings in Beijing, China. Participants were aged ≥ 60 years and diagnosed with pre-frailty or frailty according to the Fried phenotype. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) via a centralized computer-generated randomization tool (random.org) to either the GME group or the Medical Health Education (MHE) group. The GME group received a 5-month, twice-weekly exercise program (aerobic, resistance, balance, flexibility) graded by TUG performance (Levels A, B, C). The MHE comparator group received weekly health education. The primary outcome was the Fried frailty score. Data collectors and statistical analysts were blinded to group assignment, while participants and exercise instructors were not.

resultsAmong 111 participants (GME: n = 66, MHE: n = 45), the GME group showed superior reduction in Fried frailty scores (P = 0.008), with 21.2% reversing to a Robust state. Improvements were significant for pre-frail individuals (P = 0.016) and TUG Levels B/C, but not for the frail subgroup or Level A. GME participants also achieved better walking speed (P_adj = 0.006) and PHQ-9 scores (P_adj < 0.001). Significant within-group gains occurred in grip strength, TUG, and blood pressure (P_adj < 0.05). However, no significant inter-group differences were found after FDR adjustment for FTSTT, SPPB, BMI, SMI, muscle mass, calf circumference, WHR, VFA, BADL, IADL, MNA-SF, GAD-7, PFS, and MoCA. No adverse events were reported.

conclusionThe TUG-based graded multi-component exercise program is a safe and effective strategy for reversing frailty in community-dwelling older adults. It significantly enhances physical function, optimizes body composition and improves mood.

trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2400081175. Registered 26 February 2024. Retrospective Registration.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyFrail ElderlyFrailtyIndependent LivingAgedAged, 80 and overAging in PlaceFemaleGeriatric AssessmentHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostural BalanceElderlyFrailtyGraded Multi-component Exercise InterventionTimed Up and Go test

Identifiers

PMID42215862
PMCPMC13417855

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.