Citation

Moriyama N, Iwasa H, Orui M, Kuroda Y, Ono M, Okazaki K, Takamura M, Sato N, Yasumura S. Psychogeriatr. 2019; 19(3): 246-254.

Affiliation

Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Japanese Psychogeriatrics Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/psyg.12392

PMID

30556223

Abstract

AIM: In general, physically activity contributes to better subjective well-being (SWB) in the elderly. However, the physical activity level of older people who experienced relocation after the Great East Japan Earthquake has been reported to be low, possibly leading to low SWB. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of group intervention involving physical activity on SWB among older returnees after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

METHODS: The participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (4 men, 10 women) or a control group (7 women). Participants in the intervention group attended a series of weekly classes over eight weeks to encourage daily physical activity, whereas participants in the control group received no intervention. SWB, the primary outcome, was assessed by the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index.

RESULTS: Median variation in the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index scores at 3 months from the baseline in the intervention and control groups was -1.0 and -2.0 points, respectively; the difference was borderline significant (P = 0.06). There was no significant difference between the groups in the median of variation in muscle strength (P = 0.79) or mobility (P = 0.77) at 3 months.

CONCLUSION: The intervention might prevent deterioration in participants' SWB. Further studies involving older returnees with poor physical activity and/or sedentary lifestyle may be beneficial for health promotion in the area.

© 2018 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.

Language: en

Keywords

Great East Japan Earthquake; intervention; older returnees; physical activity; subjective well-being