Controlled trials

The effectiveness of an interdisciplinary primary care approach for community dwelling frail older people in reducing disability and preventing further functional decline was investigated. A cluster randomised controlled superiority trial study design was used. The intervention was the so called prevention of care approach, which consisted of a multidimensional assessment and interdisciplinary care based on a tailor made treatment plan with regular evaluation and follow-up. The control treatment consisted of usual care.1

In total, 346 frail older people (score ≥5 on Groningen frailty indicator) were recruited from 12 general practices in the south of the Netherlands. General practices were randomised to intervention or control. The primary outcome was disability, assessed at 24 months by means of the Groningen activity restriction scale. Secondary outcomes were depressive symptomatology, social support interactions, fear of falling, and social participation. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up.

No significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups with regard to disability (primary outcome) and the secondary outcomes. It was concluded that there was …