Digital health tools applications in frail older adults-a review article.

Abstract

Introduction: Frailty is a common degenerative condition highly prevalent in adults over 65 years old. A frail person has a higher risk of morbidities and mortality when exposed to health-related stressors. However, frailty is a reversible state when it is early diagnosed. Studies have shown that frail people who participated in an exercise prescription have a greater chance to transition from frail to fit. Additionally, with a rapid advancement of technology, a vast majority of studies are supporting evidence regarding the digital health tools application on frail population in recent years.

Methods: This review comprehensively summarizes and discusses about technology application in frail persons to capture the current knowledge gaps and propose future research directions to support additional research in this field. We used PubMed to search literature (2012-2023) with pre-specified terms. Studies required older adults using digital tools for frailty comparison, association, or prediction and we excluded non-English studies and those lacking frailty comparison or digital tool use.

Results: Our review found potential etiognostic factors in trunk, gait, upper-extremity, and physical activity parameters for diagnosing frailty using digital tools in older adults.

Conclusion: Studies suggest exercise improves frailty status, emphasizing the need for integrated therapeutic platforms and personalized prevention recommendations.