Study of Mindfulness Meditation and Nordic Walking Pole Exercise to Improve Health in Adults 55 and Older Living in the Community

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a social prescribing intervention aimed at promoting health in community-dwelling older adults aged 55 years and above. This study combines a 4-week mindfulness meditation program followed by a 12-week walking-pole exercise program to explore improvements in physical function, psychological well-being, and sleep quality. The goal is to support healthy aging through this combined mind-body and community-based intervention. The intervention begins with weekly group mindfulness sessions focusing on breathing, body awareness, relaxation, emotional regulation, and positive psychological practices, supported by guided home audio exercises. This is followed by a 12-week group walking-pole exercise program emphasizing muscle strength, balance, mobility, and overall health promotion relevant to older adults. Both phases are led by trained instructors in community settings, with the mindfulness phase aimed at enhancing psychological readiness before physical exercise. Participants will undergo assessments at baseline, after the mindfulness phase week 5, after completing the full 16-week intervention week 17, and again 3 months post-intervention. These evaluations include the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test and measures of mood, well-being, sleep quality, and continued engagement in healthy behaviors. The study monitors physical and psychological health changes and the maintenance of benefits after the program ends.

Social Prescribing Intervention for Health Promotion in Community-Dwelling Older Adults