Training Community Health Participants in Deep Breathing Relaxation to Reduce Pain among Older Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Community-Based Experimental Study
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Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease in older adults characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and functional limitations. Effective pain management is important to improve quality of life, especially in communities with limited healthcare access. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of training community health participants in deep breathing relaxation techniques to reduce pain among older adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
This study employed a pre-experimental design using a one-group pretest–posttest approach. The research was conducted at elderly integrated health posts (Posyandu Lansia) within the working area of Baolan Community Health Center, Tolitoli Regency, Indonesia. A total of 25 older adults with rheumatoid arthritis were selected using purposive sampling. Pain levels were measured before and after the intervention using the McGill Pain Scale. The intervention involved teaching and guiding participants to perform deep breathing relaxation exercises. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with a significance level of p < 0.05.
The results showed a significant reduction in pain levels after the intervention. Before the intervention, 76% of participants experienced moderate pain, whereas after the intervention 88% reported mild pain. Statistical analysis also indicated a significant difference between pretest and posttest pain levels (p = 0.000).
The findings suggest that training community health participants in deep breathing relaxation is an effective, low-cost, and community-based strategy to reduce pain among older adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
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