Examining the Effect of a Tai Chi Intervention on Psychosocial Consequences of Driving Cessation among Older Adults.

摘要

Advanced age is associated with age- and illness-related changes that often limit driving ability. Driving cessation is a major life transition that can lead to negative psychosocial consequences including worsening of depressive symptoms, social isolation, loneliness, and poorer quality of life in older adults. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a 6-week Tai Chi intervention on managing those consequences of driving cessation among older adults. A theoretical model was developed based on integrating the concepts of a conceptual model developed by Choi et al. (2012) and the Transitions Model (Meleis et al., 2000). A two-group, repeated measures, quasi-experimental design was used. Older adults who have either quit driving or were making plans to quit driving (n = 20; 19 women, 1 man, Mage = 73.6 years, SD = 5.9 years) were recruited from senior housing centers. Ten participants were non-randomly assigned to the intervention group and practiced Tai Chi for six weeks with two one-hour sessions per week; the other 10 were assigned to the wait-list control group. Demographic data and data regarding driving history were collected at baseline. Depressive symptoms, social isolation, loneliness, and quality of life were measured at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22). Descriptive and correlational analyses were completed and groups were compared on all measures at baseline. MANOVA and follow-up ANOVA, when needed, were conducted to answer the research questions. The results indicate that the intervention group had a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and social isolation and increase in their quality of life compared to the control group. This study provides preliminary knowledge about the effectiveness of implementing a Tai Chi intervention to manage the negative psychosocial consequences of driving cessation in older adults. Nurses are encouraged to consider Tai Chi as a facilitator of driving cessation. The findings are, however, limited by the sample size and characteristics of participants. Further theory-generating and testing research is needed to advance nursing knowledge in this area.