Comparison of the Effectiveness of Illustration through Information Reprocessing and Treatment of Coherent Reminiscence on Feelings of Loneliness, Worry, Hopefulness and Quality of Life of the Elderly in Astaneh-ye Ashrafieh

Elderly people experience feelings of sadness due to loss of social support, less participation in society and more isolation which leading to loneliness.The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of illustration through information reprocessing and treatment of coherent reminiscence on feelings of loneliness, worry, hopefulness and quality of life of the elderly in Astaneh-ye-Ashrafieh.

The research method was semi-experimental in control group with pre-test, post-test and three-month follow-up. The statistical population included all people aged 60 years and over who residing in nursing homes located in Astaneh-ye Ashrafieh. A total 60 eligible subjects were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data collection tools were Pennsylvania Worry Questionnaire, Short Form of Health Context, Hopefulness Scale and Loneliness Questionnaire. Both experimental groups and control group were tested before and after intervention. Then, coherent reminiscence intervention was performed in six sessions and imagery intervention was performed through data processing through in seven sessions for experimental groups. At the end of the interventions, both experimental groups and control group were tested using the research tool. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis test and SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA).

In the reminiscence group, the mean (SD) of hopefulness increased from 19.5 (2.1) in the pre-test to 28.7 (1.1) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase reached 30.7 (1.1) which, indicates that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the illustration group, the mean (SD) of hopefulness increased from 19.9 (1.7) in the pre-test to 26.4 (1.1) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase to 28.4 (1.1), which indicates that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the reminiscence group, the mean (SD) of quality of life increased from 63.4 (1.8) in thepre-test to 73.3 (2.9) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase 75 (1.6), which indicates that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the illustration group, the mean (SD) quality of life increased from 63.3 (1.4) in the pre-test to 73.9 (1.9) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase 75.9 (1.9), which shows that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the reminiscence group, the mean (SD) of feeling lonely decreased from 82.4 (1.5) in the pre-test to 72.3 (2.9) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase to 70 (2.6) which indicates that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the illustration group, the mean (SD) feeling of loneliness decreased from 82.7 (1.4) in the pre-test to 75.6 (1.6) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase 73.6 (1.5) which shows that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the reminiscence group, the mean (SD) of anxiety decreased from 52.4 (1.6) in the pre-test to 44.7 (1.7) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase to 42.7 (1.7), which indicates that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the illustration group, the mean (SD) of concern decreased from 52.8 (2.3) in the pre-test to 40.7 (1.1) in the post-test (P<0.001) and in the follow-up phase38.7 (1.1) which indicates that the effect of the intervention was stable (P<0.001). In the control group, mean (SD) showed no difference in hopefulness, quality of life, loneliness and anxiety.

The study showed that coherent reminiscence therapy was more effective than imagery through information reprocessing in increasing hopefulness and reducing the feeling of loneliness in the elderly. Imaging through information reprocessing was more effective in reducing the anxiety of the elderly than the coherent reminiscence therapy. However, there was no difference between the two interventions in terms of quality of life