Frailty-specific prehabilitation reduced adverse events and improved outcomes in older adults before cardiac surgery.

This randomized sham-controlled trial tested a home-based prehabilitation program combining exercise, protein-rich nutrition, and stress management in adults aged 65+ with mild-to-moderate frailty awaiting cardiac surgery (≥5 weeks preoperatively). The intervention group received structured exercise training 3 times weekly plus education and relaxation techniques, while controls received sham light stretching and usual care. The study measured functional capacity, frailty status, cardiac function, inflammation markers, quality of life, psychological outcomes, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events, and hospital readmission rates.