한국무용이 양로시설 여성노인의 신체기능과 정신건강에 미치는 효과

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to develop Korean traditional dance program to improve health of elderly women living in residential home and to evaluate the effect of this program on physical function and emotional health of the elderly women. A quasi experiment with non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. Participants were recruited from two senior residential homes. The sample consisted of intervention group(n=18) who participated in the Korean dance program, and control group(n=18). During the 12-weeks period, participants who were in experimental group participated Korean dance program three times a week for one hour per session. The data were collected at three points: prior to intervention, 6 weeks after intervention and 12 weeks intervention by using self-administered questionnaire and interview. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, x^(2)-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 12.0. After 12 week intervention, limb muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, depression, self-esteem, life satisfaction in experimental group were significantly increased than those of control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in balance at different time points. Findings indicated that Korean traditional dance had positive effects on physical function and emotional health of elderly women who reside in residental home. This Korean dance program is both effective and reliable for elderly women who reside in residential home. Application of Korean dance to more elderly women who reside in other residential homes as an exercise program is recommended.