Effects of Bingocize® on Quality of Life, Fall Risk, and Health Knowledge in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Quality of life (QOL) is an important aspects of overall well-being in older adults. QOL is associated with functional, physical, and psychological health; all of which can be improved with increased physical activity. A high fall risk is associated with low physical function and QOL. One in four older adults experiences a fall each year, making it necessary to focus public health interventions towards decreasing fall risk and improving QOL in older adults. Bingocize® is a health promotion program designed to promote health, health knowledge, physical activity, and social engagement among older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the new version of Bingocize® on QOL and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults (N=36; mean age 73.63 ± 6.97). Participants were clustered and randomly assigned to (a) experimental (n=19; participating in Bingocize® program, which included the bingo game, exercise, and health education) or (b) control (n=17; only played bingo). Each group completed a 12-week intervention that consisted of two 45-60 minute sessions per week. Pre and post data assessments included the TUG, 30-second chair stand, 4-staged balance, handgrip strength, WHOQOL-BREF, PANAS, and a health knowledge quiz. A mixed design analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare intervention effects. There were no significant interactions for any of the variables, with the exception of positive affect (PA) (F (1,34) = 5.66, p = 0.02, 2 = 0.15, power = 0.64) and handgrip strength (F (1,34) = 8.31, p = 0.007, 2 = 0.196, power = 0.80).. There was also a significant main effect for time for health knowledge. Post hoc analysis using independent samples t-tests were conducted on PA (t (33) = 2.39, p = 0.023, two-tailed) and handgrip strength (t (34) = 2.85, p = 0.007, two-tailed). Participating in the Bingocize® health promotion program can produce a meaningful and detectable change in handgrip strength and PA in community-dwelling older adults