Telehealth-Supported Discharge Programme for Frail Older Adults
Hong Kong50 participantsStarted 2026-04-01
Plain-language summary
This pilot clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a telehealth-supported discharge programme on physical and mental health outcomes, and healthcare utilization among community-dwelling older adults with frailty after hospital discharge.
The objectives are:
1. To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the programme by assessing participant recruitment, retention, adherence rates, and satisfaction;
2. To evaluate the preliminary effects of the programme on a) physical health outcomes (e.g., physical fitness, activities of daily living), b) mental health outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, perceived social support, quality of life, subjective well-being), and c) healthcare utilization (e.g., emergency department visits, hospital readmissions); and
3. To identify perceived barriers and facilitators of the programme and evaluate the acceptability and usability of gerontechnology activity sensors and pedometers for monitoring activity levels.
Community-dwelling older adults 65 years with frailty (N=50) will be recruited through a local hospital. Participants will be randomized to either the intervention or control group. The 12-week telehealth discharge support programme consists of weekly reablement-focused sessions integrating gerontechnology activity sensors and pedometers to enhance physical and mental health outcomes. Both groups will continue to receive usual care.
Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participant data. Effect sizes will be calculated to estimate the effects of the intervention on the outcomes. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis.
Who can participate
Age range
65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Aged 65 years or older;
* Able to speak Cantonese;
* Meet the operational definition of frailty, which is defined as an individual who scores 3 or more on the 5-item FRAIL scale, which reflects fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and weight loss;
* Are mentally competent according to the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT ≥ 6);
* Discharged from an acute hospital within the last two weeks and residing at home; and
* Have access to a digital device with internet connectivity, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer
Exclusion Criteria:
* Currently undergoing active psychiatric treatment for severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) that result in serious functional impairment
* Experiencing medical conditions that contraindicate physical exercise (e.g., recent acute myocardial infarction, unstable cardiovascular pathology, fracture within the past month); and/or
* Presenting with any significant visual, language, or communication impairments that would impede their ability to meaningfully engage with the programme
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Physical fitness
Timeframe: Baseline (T0) and upon intervention completion at 12 weeks (T1)