Effectiveness of an Augmented Reality-Assisted Baduanjin on Multidimensional Frailty Among Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facility: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
- Journal
- Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (Q1)
- Published
- 31 July 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Shiqi Yu, Yi Mao, Jun Wang, Yong Tai Wang, Fan Liu, Mingzhao Xiao
- PMID
- 42537625
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jamda.2026.106408
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Family Practice (top studies of the week, 2 August 2026).
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Frailty accelerates functional decline and increases care dependence in long-term care facility (LTCF) residents. This trial evaluated whether augmented reality (AR)-integrated Baduanjin improves multidimensional frailty and related health outcomes in institutionalized older adults. DESIGN: Single-blind, 3-arm randomized controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventeen older adults (75.5 ± 5.1 years; 50% female) from LTCFs in Chongqing, China were randomized to AR, video, or control groups (n = 39 each). The AR system provided real-time kinematic tracking and visual feedback during exercise. METHODS: The primary outcome was the Fried frailty phenotype. Secondary outcomes included physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and functional measures (eg, Activities of Daily Living Scale, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and 15-Item Geriatric Depression Scale). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Effects were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Adherence was high (AR, 91%; video, 89%). Significant effects of time (F = 39.47; P < .01), group (F = 3.46; P = .035), and interaction (F = 45.99; P < .01) were observed for frailty. The AR group showed greater improvement than controls at 12 weeks (P < .01). AR also produced superior gains in physical function, Activities of Daily Living Scale, nutrition, cognition, and mood compared with video and control groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: AR-enhanced Baduanjin significantly improves frailty and multidimensional health outcomes in LTCF residents. Integrating real-time digital feedback with traditional exercise is a feasible and scalable approach for frailty management in aged care settings.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.