The Effect of Orientation Program based on Activities of Daily Living on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in the Elderly

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the effect of the Orientation Program based on Activities of Daily Living on depression, anxiety, and stress in the elderly. METHODS: This is an experimental study on 65 elderly individuals living in 5 nursing homes in Tehran in 2017 for 6 months (May to October). Samples were selected using non-random available sampling methods and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Demographic information questionnaire and 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS- 21) were used. The elderly in the intervention group were subjected to the Orientation Program based on Activities of Daily Living for 6 one-hour sessions for 1 month. DASS- 21 was measured before the intervention, one month and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS V. 24 and Independent T-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square and repeated measure ANOVA tests with a significance level of P<0.05. RESULTS: The results showed differences between the two groups regarding depression, anxiety, and stress one month after the intervention (P=0.003, P=0.005 and P<001, respectively). One month after the intervention, the mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress in the intervention group decreased to 8±4.54, 4.5±3.09 and 7.53±5.42, respectively, and two months after the intervention, they decreased to 8.25±4.44, 4.71±3.05 and 8.21±5.71, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the Orientation Program based on Activities of Daily Living is effective on depression, anxiety, and stress in the elderly. Considering the instability of the intervention on the depression variable, further studies and long-term interventions are recommended. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20180504039528N1