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Learning Objective 1: identify the effects of a rhythmic exercise program on functional status, health perception, and depression in post- stroke elders.
Learning Objective 2: identify strategies to improve physical ability, functional status, and decrease depression in post-stroke elders.
Hypothesis: The intervention group will have higher functional status and health perception scores and lower depression scores than the control group.
Design: Nonequivalent control group design with pretest and posttest.
Sample and setting: To prevent diffusion of the experiment, participants were recruited by a convenient sampling of elders in two nursing homes. Inclusion criteria were 1) over age 65, 2) stroke at least 6 months previously, 3) ability to stand, with or without assistance, and 4) ability to follow verbal instructions. Thirty participants met inclusion criteria were assigned to the intervention and control group, respectively.
Instruments: Measures of functional status were range of motion (ROM), balance state, and gait ability. ROM was measured with a goniometer, balance state, with the 14-item Berg balance scale, gait ability, using 6 meter walk velocity, health perception, using questionnaires, and depression with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale.
Intervention: Intervention participants received rhythmic exercise consisting of ROM, muscle strengthening exercises, and progressive walking using music, 50-60min/day, 3 days a week, for 12 weeks. The control group received conventional ROM.
Data analysis: Data will be analyzed using two-sample t-test.
Finding: None to report at time of abstract submission. Data analysis is on going.
Conclusions and implications: By applying a rhythmic exercise program using music, it is anticipated that post-stroke elders will show improved physical ability, functional status, and decreased depression.