Interventions that prolong multidimensional indicators of healthspan in humans: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Maximising healthspan, the period of life spent in good health, is a public health priority. This review aimed to summarise the current evidence from randomised controlled trials on interventions that can prolong healthspan in humans. The specific focus was on multidimensional person-centred outcomes which reflect functioning rather than disease, such as intrinsic capacity and quality of life.
METHODS: This review was registered (CRD420251015780) and conducted with adherence to the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and grey literature were systematically searched for studies evaluating interventions that improve intrinsic capacity or quality of life. The search included articles published to 16/10/2025.
RESULTS: Of 1 960 publications identified, 15 articles (4 656 participants) met the inclusion criteria. There was high heterogeneity between the included studies in terms of the interventions examined, which varied from exercise alone (seven studies), to multidomain interventions (six studies, all of which included an exercise component), daily oral supplementation (two studies), or caloric restriction (one study). Overall, 11 studies reported that exercise or multidimensional intervention (which included an exercise component) improved intrinsic capacity and quality of life. However, due to the small number of studies and heterogeneity, no conclusion could be drawn regarding other interventions.
CONCLUSION: There is some evidence that exercise could extend intrinsic capacity and quality of life, either aerobic or resistance training alone, or a combination of different types of exercise. Further research is required to evaluate the effect of other interventions that may prolong healthspan and across more diverse populations.