Effects of colour narrative in community-dwelling older adults: A mixed methods study

Based on occupational storytelling/story-making, this study developed Colour Narrative, a program to promote the health and well-being of community-dwelling older adults.

To conduct a pilot study to implement Colour Narrative in a heavy snowfall area of Japan and verify the participants' experiences in the program and its effectiveness.

An advanced mixed methods design was used. The participants were 22 members of a community-based social group for older adults. Quantitative measurements of life functions and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were conducted before and after the intervention. Qualitative data were collected from focus group interviews regarding the participants' experiences during the intervention process. Lastly, both datasets were integrated.

The harsh living conditions due to heavy snowfall reduced the participants' overall activity. In this environment, Colour Narrative encouraged them to control their lives more in their own ways and enhanced their HRQOL. The core of their experiences was 'negotiating occupations'. This negotiation was a highly intellectual task that significantly improved their cognitive function.

The structure and content of Colour Narrative were found to be useful and feasible for community-dwelling older adults.

Colour Narrative offers a new occupation-based intervention strategy for preventive occupational therapy.