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A longitudinal study of frailty reversibility through a multi-component dementia prevention program
Akihiro Yakabi, Masahiro Ishizaka, Miyoko Oku Watanabe, Chiaki Matsumoto, Akihiro Ito, Yoshiaki Endo, Tsuyoshi Hara, Tatsuya Igawa et al.. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2025-01-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
[Purpose] We evaluated the effects of a multicomponent intervention for pre-frail and frail older adults and assessed changes in cognitive function and body composition to explore frailty reversibility. [Participants and Methods] A total of 51 community-dwelling older adults aged 70 years or older were classified into the Robust (n=28) and Prefrail/Frail groups (n=23) using the Kihon Checklist. A 3-month intervention combining exercise and cognitive training was implemented. Cognitive function was assessed using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology functional assessment tool, and body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. [Results] Compared with the Robust group, the Prefrail/Frail group exhibited significantly improved processing speed, whereas other cognitive function measures showed no significant changes. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that short-term intervention may enhance specific cognitive functions associated with frailty. Further research is needed to clarify the long-term effects.
Key findings
- Cognitive function was assessed using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology functional assessment tool, and body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. [Results] Compared with the Robust group, the Prefrail/Frail group exhibited significantly improved processing speed, whereas other cognitive function measures showed no significant changes. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that short-term intervention may enhance specific cognitive functions associated with frailty.
Why it matters
This study found that a 3-month exercise and cognitive training intervention improved processing speed in pre-frail and frail older adults, with no significant changes in other cognitive measures. It suggests possible benefit for a specific cognitive function, but it does not show that the intervention treats, cures or prevents Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Participants28
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 35/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Physical Therapy Science) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Journal of Physical Therapy Science: journal h-index 79 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 28 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Masafumi Itokazu: h-index 5 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | International University of Health and Welfare: institution h-index 167 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40511308) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 35 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1589/jpts.37.256
- PubMed: 40511308
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of Physical Therapy Science →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Yakabi, A., Ishizaka, M., Watanabe, M. O., Matsumoto, C., Ito, A., Endo, Y., et al. (2025). A longitudinal study of frailty reversibility through a multi-component dementia prevention program. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.37.256
Vancouver
Yakabi A, Ishizaka M, Watanabe MO, Matsumoto C, Ito A, Endo Y, et al. A longitudinal study of frailty reversibility through a multi-component dementia prevention program. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2025. doi:10.1589/jpts.37.256. PMID: 40511308.
BibTeX
@article{yakabi2025-40511308,
author = {Yakabi, Akihiro and Ishizaka, Masahiro and Watanabe, Miyoko Oku and Matsumoto, Chiaki and Ito, Akihiro and Endo, Yoshiaki and Hara, Tsuyoshi and Igawa, Tatsuya and others},
title = {{A longitudinal study of frailty reversibility through a multi-component dementia prevention program}},
journal = {Journal of Physical Therapy Science},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1589/jpts.37.256},
pmid = {40511308},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.37.256}
}
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