Asti Nuraeni, Arliez Zenita, Nafisatun Nisa
ABSTRACT
Older adults with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) face increasing physical and psychological challenges, yet integrated non-pharmacological interventions that address physical, sensory, and social dimensions remain limited in primary care. This study examines the effects of a novel physical exercise program that combines gait training, foot stimulation, and horticultural therapy to improve physical and psychosocial well-being. Emphasizing accessibility, the intervention was designed using low-cost, community-based resources to support wider applicability in real-world settings. A pre-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest design was employed involving 118 older adults who participated in a four-week intervention. Key outcome measures included joint pain, fall risk, foot sensitivity, depression, perfusion, and myocardial perfusion. Data were collected before and after the intervention and analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Fisher’s Exact Test to determine significant changes in participants’ conditions. Results revealed significant improvements in overall physical condition (p = 0.001), with notable enhancements in joint pain, fall risk, foot sensitivity, and depression (p = 0.001). These findings suggest that the integrated intervention effectively addressed both physical and psychosocial outcomes among participants. The study highlights the potential of innovative, community-based exercise programs as practical, low-cost strategies for improving the health and well-being of older adults with NCDs. The simplicity, accessibility, and effectiveness of the program support its potential for broader implementation within primary healthcare systems.
Keywords: Older adults, physical activity, non-communicable diseases, fall risk, psychosocial health, intervention study
https://doi.org/10.57180/onck7487