A study to assess the effectiveness of demonstration on stretching exercises regarding prevention and management of nocturnal leg cramp (nlc) among elderly at selected old age homes of Mysuru

Background of the study: Nocturnal leg cramp is a Musculo-skeletal disorder characterized by sudden and painful involuntary contractions of the lower limbs occurring during prolonged rest periods, mostly at night. It has negative impact on quality of life, particularly among elderly over 60years. Stretching exercises is a useful preventive therapy which in turn helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of pain during NLC among elderly. Aim and objective: Thestudy was conducted to assess the effectiveness of planned demonstration programme on stretching exercises for prevention and management of NLC among elderly at selected old age homes of Mysuru. Methods: Post-test only Control group design was adopted for the study. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used to select 60 study subjects using NLC screening checklist, 30 each in experimental and control group. Planned demonstration programme on stretching exercises was done only to elderly in experimental group. The frequency of NLC and intensity of pain during NLC was assessed by using frequency of NLC scale and modified VAS on day-3, day-5 and day-7 following the intervention. Results: The results of the study revealed that there was a significant differencebetween the post-test frequency and intensity of pain during NLC in experimental and control group on day-3, day-5 and on day-7 which was statistically tested using Independent ‘t’ test for frequency of NLC (day-3 t(58)=2.25; day-5 t(58)=3.07; day-7 t(58)=8.73; p<0.05) and intensity of pain during NLC (day-5 t(58)=4.41; day-7 t(58)=8.68; p<0.05) was found to be significant at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: The study concluded that the stretching exercises was effective in reducing the frequency of NLC and intensity of pain during NLC among elderly. Hence performing daily stretching exercises can be adopted as a non-pharmacological therapyamong elderly for prevention and management of NLC.The study also stresses the increasing responsibility of health professionals in planning and implementing various strategies to reduce frequency of NLC and intensity of pain during NLC using different self-care techniques which in turn helps to increase the quality of life among elderly.