Progressive Muscle Relaxation Decreasing Anxiety Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Ns. Arjuna, S. Kep-Dr. Etty Rekawati, SKp., MKM- Ns. Dwi Nurviyandari Kusuma Wati, S.Kep., MN

Faculty of Nursing Universitas Indonesia

Abstract

Background: The role of community nursing is critical in comprehensive health management, including on the issue of anxiety that occurs among older people. Excessive and continuous anxiety can cause dysfunction and decrease their quality of life. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a therapeutic modality that can create a relaxed state, thereby affecting anxiety levels.
Purpose: to determine the effect of PMR on the anxiety among community-dwelling older adults
Methods: The research used a Quasi-Experimental design with pretest and posttest control group on 138 older people. The intervention was in the form of Progressive Muscle Relaxation for 10 sessions in 5 weeks (2 times a week). Geriatric Anxiety Scale was used as the data collection. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and Mann Withney test.
Results: In the intervention group, there was found a difference on the anxiety level in the pre-test and post-test (p = 0.0001). However, in the control group, there was no significant difference found (p = 0.062). There is a significant effect of PMR on the level of anxiety among older adults (p = 0.0001).
Conclusion: PMR intervention can reduce anxiety among older people who live in a dwelling community. PMR intervention can be used as a therapeutic modality in the management of community nursing care for the older people with anxiety to prevent adverse effects.

Keywords: Anxiety- Community-Dwelling Older People- PMR

Topic: Mental Health, Community, Family Health and Gerontological Nursing