Scandinavian journal of primary health care
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Scand J Prim Health Care · Sep 1990
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEmotional and social effects of a controlled intervention study in a day-care unit for elderly patients.
The present study deals with social, behavioural, and emotional aspects of the life of elderly handicapped people in a day-care unit. It was hypothesized that passivity and lack of possibility to influence treatment may inhibit progress in therapy. 65 patients were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups. The programme was devised in collaboration with the patients in order to ameliorate the passivity factor in treatment (by means of improved personal control and social activation). ⋯ There were no changes in psychosomatic complaint scores or in any health/socioeconomic factor. However, there was a significant improvement in perceived health and life satisfaction. The results indicate that significant improvement in subjective well-being, lasting for at least three months after the end of day-care treatment, may be a consequence of the new intervention programme.