Implementation of Expressive Physical Touch in Depressed Older Adults |
| |
Authors: | Buschmann MaryBeth Tank Hollinger-Smith Linda M. Peterson-Kokkas Sharon E. |
| |
Affiliation: | (1) Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612-7350;(2) Department of Medical Nursing, Rush University, 1653 Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL, 60612;(3) 51 Naiadon, GR-17561 Paleo Faliro, Greece |
| |
Abstract: | Depression is a serious problem among older adults and there is limited research on the most effective way to implement and evaluate the effects of expressive touch, either alone or in combination with verbalization, on levels of depression. A convenience sample of 24 institutionalized depressed older adult subjects (15 females and 9 males), ages 67 to 91 years was used for this study. An interrupted time series with multiple replications design was employed with four measurements: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Life-Satisfaction-A-Scale, Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale, and Locus of Control Scale. Four interventions were implemented: expressive touch only, verbalization only, a combination of expressive touch and verbalization, and a control (presence). Significant differences were found between pretest and posttest scores on the GDS for the expressive touch/verbal intervention. The most comfortable locations to implement the expressive touch and combination interventions were in the dining room or at the subject's bedside. The most comfortable areas of the subjects' bodies touched were the arms, hands, shoulders, and back. Results of this study support an important link between depression, self-esteem, locus of control, and life satisfaction and expressive touch either alone or when combined with talk. Touch as a mode of effective social support may have a therapeutic effect for depressed older adults. |
| |
Keywords: | Older adults expressive touch depression |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|