Abstract

This was a quasi-experimental study designed to compare the amount of pain perceived and degree of joint mobility in elderly arthritics who participated in a water exercise program and elderly arthritics who participated in a land exercise program. The hypotheses tested in this study were: 1. There will be no significant difference in pain experienced by elderly arthritics who participate in land exercises and elderly arthritics who participate in water exercises. 2. There will be no significant difference in joint mobility of elderly arthritics who participate in land exercises and elderly arthritics who participate in water exercises. Twenty-three subjects participated in this study. Ten subjects in the experimental group participated in an exercise program for the hands using water. Thirteen subjects in the control group participated in an exercise program for the hands without water. The Rasmussen Pain Description Index was used to collect data about pain and the goniometer was used to collect data about joint mobility of the hands. The t test and .05 level of significance were used to analyze the data for the hypotheses. The results of the statistical analysis failed to reveal a significant difference for Hypothesis I at the .05 level. Therefore, the r esearcher failed to reject Hypothesis I . The results of the statistical analysis revealed a significant difference for Hypothesis II at the .05 level and Hypothesis II was rejected. Based on the results of this study, the researcher concluded that exercise does lead to increased joint mobility for the elderly with arthritis of the hand.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

7-2-1987

Publication Number

27919777

First Advisor

Mary Patricia Curtis

Second Advisor

Dr. Rayma Skinner

Third Advisor

Dr. Phyllis Werner

Document Type

Thesis

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS