The Effectiveness of Multi-component Exercise Combined With Art Therapy on Balance Performances and Depression Level Among Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Aging can be defined as the progressive deterioration of organs and body function and performance caused by the failure of body cells to function normally or to produce new body cells. The aging process and lack of physical activity will cause a reduction in balance performance and can lead to depression. Exercise training and art therapy are thought to improve their physical and psychological function. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of multicomponent exercise combined with art therapy on depression levels and balance performances among community-dwelling older adults. Materials and methods: An experimental study which is a pilot's study with comparison groups was conducted on 37 healthy older adults who were grouped into (1) exercise group only (EG, n=12), a combined exercise group, and art (CG, n=13), or art group alone (AG, n=12). The intervention lasted for 8 weeks. Balance performance was measured using the Time Up and Go test, while for depression level, the DASS-21 Bahasa Malaysia version was used. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used for the data analyses. Results: The result shows all three groups have significant improvements in time between pre- and post-study in depression score and balance performances with (p<0.05). However, no significant effect was visible between the groups for all variables (depression score and balance performances). Conclusion: While combining exercise and art therapy showed potential benefits, the study did not find statistically significant differences between the groups.