Scoping review of gut microbiota interventions for frailty, plus bibliometrics
A scoping review found 10 studies of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation for frailty, lasting 4 weeks to 6 months; a separate bibliometric analysis of 358 publications found a sharp rise after 2016. The authors call the interventions promising but note the evidence is fragmented. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review aimed to synthesize fragmented evidence on gut microbiota-targeted interventions for frailty, with a bibliometric analysis as a complementary objective. [1]
Of 3216 screened records, 10 studies were included; interventions lasted 4 weeks to 6 months. [1]
The bibliometric analysis identified 358 publications with a sharp rise after 2016. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Scoping review with bibliometric analysis (abstract)
- Population / context
- People with frailty syndrome, as covered by the included studies; bibliometric records on this field.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 1, 2026
Aim: mapping gut microbiota interventions for frailty
The review's main aim was to bring together fragmented evidence on interventions targeting the gut microbiota in frailty. As a complementary objective, the authors ran a bibliometric analysis to map how knowledge in this interdisciplinary field has evolved, aiming to inform future personalized therapeutic strategies and research priorities.
Supporting source [1]
Ten studies; probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and transplantation
Nine databases were searched from inception to July 2025, and two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Of 3216 screened records, 10 studies were included. The interventions were probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, lasting 4 weeks to 6 months. Frailty was mainly assessed with Fried's phenotype, and outcomes covered frailty severity, physical function, gut microbiota composition and inflammatory or metabolic markers.
Supporting source [1]
Bibliometrics: 358 publications, sharp rise after 2016
For the bibliometric part, the Web of Science Core Collection was searched up to September 2025, yielding 358 publications and a sharp rise after 2016. China produced the most studies, and the University of Parma was the top institution. Key themes were gut microbiota, frailty, aging, inflammation and sarcopenia. The authors conclude that these interventions are a promising strategy to slow frailty progression, but call for standardized, multidisciplinary assessment frameworks and clarification of mechanisms.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The review included just 10 studies, and the abstract reports no effect sizes, no risk-of-bias assessment and no certainty grading. The bibliometric counts describe publication activity, not treatment benefit. The 'promising strategy' conclusion is the authors' interpretation, not a demonstrated causal effect.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Jiao Y, Li L, Ji X, Cheng H. · europepmc.org · August 1, 2026