Life Satisfaction and Mood Assessment of Danish Nursing Home Residents' Participation in Cycling Without Age: A Pre/Post 16- to 20-Week Evaluation

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether participation in the Cycling Without Age program is associated with improvements in life satisfaction and mood.

METHOD: A 16- to 20-week quasi-experimental single-arm study, using a pre/post evaluation with a total of 52 participants (median age = 79.5 years) from eight Danish nursing homes, was conducted. Data were obtained prior to and immediately following rides through interview-based questionnaires assessing life satisfaction using the 10-point Cantril Ladder at baseline and follow up, and mood assessments using a 5-point smiley scale.

RESULTS: Life satisfaction improved significantly (+0.94, p = 0.04) over the study period, especially in men, and those with zero to five trishaw rides. Mood also improved significantly (+1.01, p < 0.001) immediately after rides.

CONCLUSION: Participation in Cycling Without Age significantly improved mood and enhanced life satisfaction among nursing homes residents. Findings underscore the potential of volunteer-driven trishaw activities for community-based health promotion in nursing homes. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(x), xx-xx.].