The Effects of Dance and Movement Therapy Techniques and Walking Interventions on the Levels of Loneliness and Self-neglect in Elderly Aged 65 Years and Over

The feeling of loneliness and self-neglect, which can be seen in all age groups and is an uncomfortable situation for individuals, are important factors that affect the physical and mental health and quality of life of individuals, which are more common in older ages. Coping with emotional, physical and social support networks to cope with the factors that cause the feeling of loneliness in the elderly, and applying programs that address all the variables that will prevent the decrease in the life satisfaction of the elderly as a result of loneliness reduce the feeling of self-neglect and loneliness in the elderly.

Aim: To investigate the effects of dance and movement therapy or walking interventions for elderly people aged 65 and over who are registered to the family health center located in the city center of Amasya, on the loneliness and self-neglect levels of the elderly.

Method: In this study, which is a repeated-measurement and 3-armed randomized controlled study with a pretest-posttest control group, the elderly aged 65 and over will be randomly assigned to two 15-person experiments and a control group. In the study, dance and movement therapy techniques will be applied to the 1st intervention group (n:15), and walking attempt (2 x40 min/week and 6 weeks in total) to the 2nd intervention group (n:15). The data collection tool will be applied before the intervention and at the 1st and 3rd months after the intervention.

Conclusion: The main result of the study is to determine that dance and movement therapy and walking attempts for the elderly are effective in reducing the levels of loneliness and self-neglect in the elderly. It is thought that the results of the study will support the elderly mentally, socially and culturally and will guide the programs that will improve the health of the elderly.