Effect of group activities on health promotion for the community-dwelling elderly / Journal of Rural Medicine

ABSTRACT

<b>Objective:</b> In Japan, the Integrated Community Care System aims to support residents to live as independently as possible at home. <i>Koreisya-Kyoshitsu</i> and <i>Fureaiikiiki</i> salons are two types of group activities for community-dwelling elderly. We investigated effective ways of conducting such activities.<br><b>Methods:</b> We analyzed 96 subjects from 8 salons and 354 subjects from 10 <i>Koreisya-Kyoshitsu</i>. Self-completed questionnaires included the following attributes, the Motor Fitness Scale (MFS), revised Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS), Measurement of Psychological Independence (MPI), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and self-rated health status (SRH). Follow-up assessment was conducted 6 months later. Representatives from 8 salons and staff members from 10 <i>Koreisya-Kyoshitsu</i> answered an additional questionnaire on management.<br><b>Results:</b> In <i>Koreisya-Kyoshitsu</i>, physical performance (MFS) (<i>p</i> = 0.007) and subjective well-being (PGCMS) (<i>p</i> = 0.001) improved significantly, whereas psychological independence (MPI) deteriorated significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.015). The MFS scores significantly improved in the sub-group with a high number of sessions (7 or more) (<i>p</i> = 0.043), as well as in the non-volunteer sub-group (<i>p</i> = 0.004). The PGCMS scores significantly improved in the sub-group with a high number of sessions (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The MPI scores significantly deteriorated in the sub-group with a low frequency of sessions (6 or less) and in the non-volunteer sub-group (<i>p</i> = 0.013 and <i>p</i> = 0.010, respectively). In salons, the frequency of going out decreased significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.049). Functional status (IADL) significantly improved in the “twice or more a month” sub-group (<i>p</i> = 0.046), whereas it significantly deteriorated in the “once a month” sub-group (<i>p</i> = 0.004). The proportion of volunteers/organizers in <i>Koreisya-Kyoshitsu</i> (23.4%) was significantly lower than that in salons (39.6%).<br><b>Conclusion:</b> The frequency (number) of sessions, but not the volunteer/non-volunteer attribute, was a key factor in obtaining the health promotion effects of group activities in both <i>Koreisya-Kyoshitsu</i> and salons.