Nurse-Led Interventions Targeting Clinical Correlates of Immunosenescence in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Immunosenescence is a complex biological process associated with aging, characterized by a progressive decline in immune function and increased chronic inflammation ("inflammaging"), with clinical implications such as frailty, functional decline, multimorbidity, and a higher risk of adverse events in older adults. Nurses in community and primary care settings play a central role in preventive and health promotion interventions that may indirectly influence these processes. However, the available literature remains fragmented. Therefore, this scoping review aims to map and synthesise nursing interventions targeting older adults (≥60 years) that may indirectly influence immunosenescence by acting on its clinical correlates and modifiable determinants, organising the evidence within a four-pillar conceptual framework. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A scoping review was conducted following JBI methodology and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. We included primary studies on nurse-led interventions in community, home care, primary care, territorial, or long-term care settings. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched (English; last 10 years). Interventions were classified into four pillars: nursing nutrition and immunonutrition support, physical activity and exercise support, nursing vaccination coaching, and frailty monitoring and prevention of functional decline. <i>Results:</i> Twenty-five primary studies were included, mostly randomised or cluster-randomised trials in community, primary care, home care, and transitional care settings. Interventions mapped mainly to Pillar 4 and Pillar 2, while Pillar 1 was less frequent and usually part of multicomponent programmes; no primary studies targeted Pillar 3. Overall, effectiveness appeared driven more by intervention intensity and integration than by frailty identification alone: structured, multicomponent nurse-led programmes combining exercise with nutritional and psychosocial components showed the most consistent benefits on frailty, functional outcomes, and well-being, whereas low-intensity preventive consultations and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)-based models often showed limited improvements over usual care. <i>Conclusions:</i> This scoping review highlights the key role of community and primary care nurses in preventive interventions targeting clinical correlates of immunosenescence. Multicomponent nurse-led programmes integrating physical activity, nutrition, and psychosocial support appear most promising for frailty and functional outcomes, while low-intensity interventions show limited effectiveness. No primary studies addressed nurse-led vaccination coaching, representing an evidence gap. Future research should include biological/immunological markers alongside clinical outcomes.

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Journal
Medicina
Published
2026-01-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62020262
Primary Topic
Frailty in Older Adults
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article
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article

Nurse-Led Interventions Targeting Clinical Correlates of Immunosenescence in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Ernesto Aitella, Gianluca Azzellino, Patrizia Vagnarelli, Luca Mengoli et al.
Medicina
Frailty in Older Adults
article

Nurse-Led Interventions Targeting Clinical Correlates of Immunosenescence in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Ernesto Aitella, Gianluca Azzellino, Patrizia Vagnarelli, Luca Mengoli, Lia Ginaldi
article en

Abstract

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Immunosenescence is a complex biological process associated with aging, characterized by a progressive decline in immune function and increased chronic inflammation ("inflammaging"), with clinical implications such as frailty, functional decline, multimorbidity, and a higher risk of adverse events in older adults. Nurses in community and primary care settings play a central role in preventive and health promotion interventions that may indirectly influence these processes. However, the available literature remains fragmented. Therefore, this scoping review aims to map and synthesise nursing interventions targeting older adults (≥60 years) that may indirectly influence immunosenescence by acting on its clinical correlates and modifiable determinants, organising the evidence within a four-pillar conceptual framework. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A scoping review was conducted following JBI methodology and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. We included primary studies on nurse-led interventions in community, home care, primary care, territorial, or long-term care settings. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched (English; last 10 years). Interventions were classified into four pillars: nursing nutrition and immunonutrition support, physical activity and exercise support, nursing vaccination coaching, and frailty monitoring and prevention of functional decline. <i>Results:</i> Twenty-five primary studies were included, mostly randomised or cluster-randomised trials in community, primary care, home care, and transitional care settings. Interventions mapped mainly to Pillar 4 and Pillar 2, while Pillar 1 was less frequent and usually part of multicomponent programmes; no primary studies targeted Pillar 3. Overall, effectiveness appeared driven more by intervention intensity and integration than by frailty identification alone: structured, multicomponent nurse-led programmes combining exercise with nutritional and psychosocial components showed the most consistent benefits on frailty, functional outcomes, and well-being, whereas low-intensity preventive consultations and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)-based models often showed limited improvements over usual care. <i>Conclusions:</i> This scoping review highlights the key role of community and primary care nurses in preventive interventions targeting clinical correlates of immunosenescence. Multicomponent nurse-led programmes integrating physical activity, nutrition, and psychosocial support appear most promising for frailty and functional outcomes, while low-intensity interventions show limited effectiveness. No primary studies addressed nurse-led vaccination coaching, representing an evidence gap. Future research should include biological/immunological markers alongside clinical outcomes.

MedicinaVol. 62(2)
University of Teramo (IT), University of L'Aquila (IT), Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences (IT)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 79%
Frailty in Older Adults
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