The purpose of this study was to examine whether a prebiotic formulation reduces frailty index (FI) levels in older people.

We conducted secondary analysis of a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind design study.

The study included non-demented people over the age of 65 who were living in nursing homes and were able to walk. Fifty participants completed the study (75.3±7.3 years, 70% females).

Participants were randomly assigned to either a group who received daily Darmocare Pre® (inulin and fructooligosaccharides) for 13 weeks or a placebo group (maltodextrin).

The primary outcome in this secondary analysis was change in level of a 62-item FI compared to baseline.

At the 13-week follow-up, the placebo group had higher FI levels (preFI 0.23±0.11, postFI 0.24±0.12, p=0.012) and the intervention group had lower FI levels (preFI 0.22±0.09, postFI 0.20±0.08, p<0.001). There was an average increase of 0.01±0.01 in the FI score in the placebo group (0.4 deficits; Cohen’s d 0.61; standardized response mean 0.59) and an average reduction of 0.02±0.02 in the intervention group (1.1 deficits; Cohen’s d -1.35; standardized response mean -1.16). Among the 28 participants in the intervention group, FI levels were reduced for 25 people; five of them had an FI reduction greater than 0.03. The moderately/severely frail participants (FI >0.3, N=5) had the greatest reduction in their FI (0.04±0.01).

A prebiotic intervention can reduce frailty levels in nursing home residents especially in those with higher levels of frailty.