This multi-center, randomized, assessor-blind trial is designed based on the Max.-Min.-Con. principle, which aims to maximize the benefits of the intervention while minimizing potential confounding factors and ensuring control over the study design. The trial features three parallel intervention groups: control (routine care), +CAA, and +CAA+PGP, with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. This balanced allocation ensures that each intervention group and the control group have an equal number of participants, allowing for a fair comparison of outcomes.
The study is conducted sequentially across three elderly centers, with each center serving as an independent randomization unit. This multi-center approach enhances the generalizability of the findings by including diverse populations from different locations. Within each institution, 30 participants (aged 60-85, new residents with ≤1 year of stay) are recruited through health providers, totaling 90 elderly participants across all three centers. The inclusion of new residents (with ≤1 year of stay) is critical, as this population is particularly vulnerable to stress and reduced psychological well-being (PWB) during the transition to elderly care centers.
To ensure balanced groups and control for confounding variables, minimized randomization is employed. Within each institution, the 30 participants are divided into three groups-Group A, Group B, and Group C-with 10 participants in each group. Group A receives the +CAA intervention, Group B receives the +CAA+PGP intervention, and Group C serves as the control group, receiving only routine care. The use of minimized randomization helps to balance key confounding factors such as age and visitation frequency, ensuring that the groups are comparable at baseline.
The intervention is delivered over three sessions within one week, specifically on day 1, day 3 and day 5. This schedule allows for consistent exposure to the interventions while providing adequate time for participants to rest between sessions. The +CAA intervention involves traditional Chinese art activities, such as calligraphy and painting, which are designed to promote relaxation and emotional well-being. The +CAA+PGP intervention** builds on this by incorporating peer group discussions, where participants share their experiences and artworks, fostering social interaction and mutual support.
Baseline assessments of key outcomes-psychological well-being (PWB), loneliness, happiness, relaxation, and salivary cortisol levels-are conducted prior to randomization. These baseline measures provide a reference point for evaluating the impact of the interventions. To capture the immediate effects of the interventions, outcome measures are collected 30 minutes before and after each intervention session. This allows the researchers to assess short-term changes in PWB, emotional states, and stress levels (as indicated by salivary cortisol).
Additionally, a final follow-up assessment is conducted one week after the last intervention session to evaluate the sustained outcomes of the interventions. This follow-up assessment is crucial for determining whether the benefits of the interventions persist beyond the immediate post-intervention period.
In summary, this trial is designed to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese Art Activities (CAA) and their combination with Peer Group Participation (PGP) in improving psychological well-being and reducing stress among elderly residents transitioning to care centers. By employing a multicenter, randomized, and assessor-blind design, the study ensures robust and reliable results that can inform future interventions in elderly care settings.
