Self-Monitoring and Its Effects on Physical Activity, Health Literacy, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults Receiving Long-Term Care

BACKGROUND: This study examined the impact of a self-monitoring intervention on physical activity, health literacy, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults receiving long-term care (LTC) in a non-randomized controlled trial (non-RCT). METHODS: This non-RCT included participants undergoing rehabilitation at a daycare center between January and April 2024. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 65 years, ambulatory status, and consent to participate. Those who did not meet LTC levels and those with dementia were excluded. Two-group comparisons at baseline were conducted using unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. The effects of the intervention on step count, sedentary behavior, physical activity intensity, health literacy, and HRQOL were analyzed using a two-way mixed effects model with repeated measures with two factors: group (control, intervention) and time (baseline, 12-week follow-up), with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the intervention group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 26) at baseline. Interaction effects were significant for the step count, sedentary behavior, and HRQOL in repeated measures two-way mixed ANOVA for group (intervention and control) and time (baseline, 12-week follow-up) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The self-monitoring intervention to promote physical activity in a non-RCT was found to increase steps, decrease sedentary behavior, and improve HRQOL in older adults receiving LTC.