The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of range of motion exercises as a nursing intervention for the health promotion among older adults. The study was performed on a one group pretest-posttest design for 80 older adults, who were conveniently sampled.
The older adults were participated in a range of motion exercise program, which were held 3 times in a day for 4 weeks. Data were collected from May 5 to July 28, 2002 with a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire were consists of questions regarding perceived health status, physical and emotional health of older adults.
The data were analyzed by using t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient by a SPSS-PC program.
The results were as follows:
1. After the range of motion exercise program, the perceived health status of older adults was significantly higher than before the exercise(t=8.265, p= .000).
2. After the range of motion exercise program, the physical health status of older adults was significantly higher than before the exercise(t=21.185, p= .000).
3. After the range of motion exercise program, the emotional health status of older adults was significantly higher than before the exercise(t=7.284, p= .000).
4. There were positive correlation between the perceived health status, and physical and emotional health of older adults(r= .403, p= .000; r= .391, p= .000).
After 4 weeks of range of motion exercises it was shown that the range of motion exercise was effective to improve the perceived health status, and physical and emotional health of older adults. The range of motion exercise could practice safely in any place without any special facilities, so we recommend it as one of exercise program for the health promotion of older adults.
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