Culturally Adapted, Clinician-Led, Bilingual Group Exercise Program for Older Migrant Adults: Single-Arm...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Promotion

Background:

• Aging migrant populations, particularly older Chinese Australians, face elevated risks of chronic disease and social isolation.
• Culturally appropriate health interventions are crucial for addressing the unique needs of diverse aging communities.
• Existing health programs often lack the cultural adaptation necessary for effective engagement with specific ethnic groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Move Together" program, a culturally adapted, community-based intervention.
• To assess the program's impact on physical health, quality of life, and social connectedness among older Mandarin-speaking Chinese Australians.
• To determine the utility of the Model for Adaptation, Design, and Impact framework in program development.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm, pre-post intervention study involving 101 Mandarin-speaking Chinese Australians aged 65+.
• The "Move Together" program was delivered bilingually by accredited exercise physiologists over nine weeks.
• Physical health was assessed via waist circumference, aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, and balance; psychosocial well-being was measured using quality of life and social connectedness questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed across all measured physical health indicators (p < 0.001).
• A greater proportion of participants met fitness standards for healthy independent living post-intervention.
• Participants reported significant enhancements in self-perceived quality of life and social connectedness.

Conclusions:

• The "Move Together" program demonstrates effectiveness in enhancing physical health and psychosocial well-being in older Chinese Australians.
• A culturally adapted, bilingual delivery model is key to successful health interventions for diverse aging populations.
• Findings offer valuable guidance for health professionals and policymakers in developing targeted programs for culturally and linguistically diverse older adults.