Effects of Yangsaeng (Health Management) Therapy for Korean Older Adults in Nursing Home

Abstract

The number of older adults admitted to nursing homes is steadily increasing, and the health management for them is a very important issue in Korean society. This study aimed to examine the effects of Yangsaeng (health management) therapy on physical health status, depression, life satisfaction, and Yangsaeng (health management) of Korean older adults in nursing homes. A quasi-experimental study design using a pretest-posttest control group was employed. Study participants were a total of 80 older adults (intervention: n = 40, control: n = 40) in a nursing home in Seoul, South Korea. Yangsaeng therapy as an intervention consisted of the Meridian therapy and Qi-gong therapy. Yangsaeng therapy was conducted for 50 min per one time, twice a week, and for 10 weeks. Measures were general characteristics of study participants, Cornell Medical Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, life satisfaction scale, and Yangsaeng scale. Data were collected from April 2018 to March 2019. There were statistically significant differences on physical health status, depression, life satisfaction, and Yangsaeng between the two groups. Yangsaeng therapy was an effective intervention for improving physical health status, life satisfaction, and Yangsaeng, and for decreasing depression of older adults in nursing homes. Health care providers need to pay attention to Yangsaeng therapy as a Korean traditional intervention method for the health management of the older adults residing in nursing homes.