Effect of Combining Adapted Physical and Artistic Activities on Feeling of Loneliness and Aggression in the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Objectives Feeling of loneliness and aggression are common problems in the elderly living in nursing homes that can have serious psychological and physical consequences for them. Due to the growing number of the elderly population, it is essential to use practical strategies for reducing their isolation and aggression. This study aims to assess the effect of combining adapted physical and artistic activities on feeling of loneliness and aggression in the elderly living in nursing homes. Methods & Materials In this quasi-experimental study, 68 older residents of a nursing home in Shiraz, Iran with feeling of loneliness and aggression and without acute psychological and physical problems participated, who were selected using a convenience sampling method and then assigned into two groups of control and intervention by block randomization method. The control group received routine care, while the intervention group participated in 16 sessions of adapted physical and artistic activities. Data were collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire before and immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive (Mean±SD, and frequency) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test) in SPSS software, version 22. Results The participants’ mean age was 70.93±7.99 years in total, and 69.1% were women. The scores of loneliness and aggression significantly reduced after the intervention in the intervention group (P<0.001). The scores of loneliness (P<0.001) and aggression (P=0.001) in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the control group. Conclusion Feeling of loneliness and the level of aggression in the elderly living in nursing homes can be reduced significantly by combining adapted physical and artistic activities. This practical and cost-effective intervention can be used to reduce feeling of loneliness and aggression in the elderly living in nursing homes.