Use of heart rate variability in predicting frailty in older adults: a scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36517/2175-6783.20262796455Keywords:
Frailty; Heart Rate; Aged; Scoping Review.Abstract
Objective: to map the evidence on the use of heart rate variability as a predictor of frailty in older adults. Methods: scoping review conducted in eight national and international databases and two thesis and dissertation catalogs, with no time or language restrictions. Studies addressing older adults (population), heart rate variability (concept), and its application in the assessment or prediction of frailty (context) were included. Study selection was performed by independent reviewers, and the data were synthesized descriptively. Results: 15 studies were included, which highlighted the use of heart rate variability in association with other functional markers, as well as the increasing use of wearable sensors in frailty assessment. Conclusion: heart rate variability is a promising physiological marker for the early screening of frailty in older adults, with the potential to support more effective and timely care. Contributions to practice: the findings may support monitoring of older adults’ health and the planning of patient-centered interventions in the context of frailty.
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The authors declare that the raw data from data collection are available upon request from the corresponding author.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Elton Douglas Alves da Silva Inácio, Antonio Marcos Rodrigues da Silva, Ellen de Araujo Rodrigues Abdala, Kaio Cézar de Araújo Alves, Sara Aléxia de Amorim Ramos, João Victor Batista Cabral, Keylla Talitha Fernandes Barbosa
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