Investigating the effect of empowerment interventions based on Pender's health promotion model on adopting a healthy lifestyle in older people: A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: A healthy lifestyle is crucial for the well-being of older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an empowerment intervention based on Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) on the adoption of healthy lifestyles in this population METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (n=45) or a control group (n=45). The intervention group received eight weekly educational sessions consisting of six sessions for participants and two for their families, based on Pender's model, including perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, activity-related affect, interpersonal influences and situational influences while the control group received standard care.. Data were collected using a validated healthy lifestyle questionnaire and a demographic checklist at baseline and four weeks post-intervention. RESULTS: before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the overall healthy lifestyle score in the intervention group (139.56±32.86) and the control group (142.40±24.39) (P˃0.05). Following the intervention, the intervention group's score increased significantly to 188.46 ± 21.87, which was markedly higher than the control group's score (142.62±18.73) (P˂0.05). Also, the score of healthy lifestyle dimensions including prevention, nutrition, physical activity and recreation, stress management and interpersonal and social relations in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P˂0.05). No harms or unintended effects were reported in either group. CONCLUSION: Interventions to empower older people using the Pender HPM is effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle among older adults. Integrating this model into community health programs can be a valuable strategy for improving the overall health and well-being of the aging population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, No: IRCT20230715058786N1. Date of Registration: 2023.11.17.