Trials · Jun 3, 2026

Effects of two community-based multimodal exercise programs on physical activity, performance, fall prevention, and quality of life in older adults: a randomized clinical trial

By Hossain KMA, Hossain MZ, Jahan S et al.

BACKGROUND: Aging involves a gradual physiological decline that affects physical activity, performance, fall risk, and quality of life in older adults. Exercise is a recommended intervention to counteract these effects; however, the comparative effectiveness of sensorimotor and strengthening exercise programs in community settings remains limited. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two community-based multimodal exercise programs (CMEPs) in improving physical activity, performance, fall prevention, and quality of life in older adults. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 140 older adults randomly assigned to CMEP-I (sensorimotor exercise) or CMEP-II (strengthening exercise). Both interventions involved 24 supervised sessions over 8 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline and post-intervention using the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE), Short Functional Performance Battery (SPPB), Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), and 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Both interventions led to improvements in outcome measures over time. CMEP-I showed significantly superior improvements to CMEP-II in physical activity (PASE, MD = 12.40; 95% CI: 5.92 to 18.88; ηp² = 0.626), functional performance (SPPB, MD = 0.26; 95% CI: -0.17 to 0.68; ηp² = 0.137), fall prevention (MFES, MD = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.46; ηp² = 0.325), and quality of life (SF-36, MD = 3.07; 95% CI: 2.23 to 3.91; ηp² = 0.642). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Sensorimotor exercise (CMEP-I) showed greater benefits across all outcomes compared with the strengthening exercise (CMEP-II). These findings support the inclusion of sensorimotor CMEPs in community health initiatives as accessible, low-cost strategies for promoting independence and healthy aging in resource-limited settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered prospectively in the Clinical Trials Registry-India CTRI/2025/03/083260 (Registered on 24/03/2025).

doi.org/10.1186/s13063-026-09825-x Open access PubMed 42237301 Interventions