Effects of Health Literacy Promoting Programs and Exercise by Applying Maneewach Exercise for Preventing Fall in Elderly at Buriram Province.

Abstract

            This study was a quasi-experimental research aimed to test the effects of health literacy promoting programs and applying Maneewach Exercise (ME) for preventing fall in elderly at Buriram province. The sample was 76 elderlies and divided into two groups; an experimental group and a comparison group, each group was 38 elderlies. The experimental group received health literacy promoting programs and exercise by applying ME for preventing fall. The intervention consisted of lectures, learning groups, knowledge corner about fall prevention, discussion and exchanged learning experience, balance and posture exercise for increasing muscle strength. The duration of the intervention was 12 weeks. Data were collected before and after the intervention using a questionnaire. Evaluation of balance and the muscle strength consisted of 3 parts walking ability by Time Up Go Test (TUGT). The strength leg muscles were assessed at 30 seconds testing of chair stand and standing balance by four stage balance. Comparative analysis was tested by Paired Sample t-test, Independent t-test and significant setting at 0.05 level.

             The results showed that after intervention, the experimental group had higher mean scores for health literacy about fall prevention, practice for preventing than those before the experimental and higher than the comparison groups (p<0.001). The balance and muscle strength had higher than before the experiment and higher than the comparison group (p<0.001). Therefore, health literacy programs and exercise by applying Maneewach Exercise for preventing fall in elderly can be applied to elderly people in the same community context.