Award Date

May 2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Department

Brain Health

First Committee Member

Donnamarie Krause

Second Committee Member

Jefferson Kinney

Number of Pages

81

Abstract

This doctoral capstone project explored the impact of a Tai Chi intervention led by the occupational therapy student researcher, on self-perceived competence and engagement in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) among semi/fully retired adults at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Using the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) questionnaire, the project measured changes in participants' confidence and abilities before and after the participation of the Tai Chi program.

The Tai Chi intervention was a six-week Tai Chi program designed to accommodate the physical and cognitive capabilities of semi-retired and retired adults. This program not only aimed to improve physical balance and mobility but also sought to enhance mental well-being through the meditative aspects of Tai Chi. Results from the study indicated positive qualitative feedback, with participants reporting increased motivation, improved engagement in health activities, and a heightened sense of community. However, despite of a trend of improvement, no statistical significance on OSA scores was found between pre-test and post-test.

In conclusion, Tai Chi could be a valuable intervention for enhancing the psychosocial and physical well-being of retired adults. The findings recommended further investigation into community-based Tai Chi programs as a component of occupational therapy for retirees, emphasizing the need for larger-scale studies to better quantify the benefits observed anecdotally in this project.

Keywords

lifestyle; prevention; Psychosocial; redesign; retirement; TJQMBB

Disciplines

Geriatrics | Health and Medical Administration | Occupational Therapy

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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