Orientations Case Study Part 1: My Question PICOT

Orientations Case Study Part 1my Questionpicot Pico Questionin Eld

Describe the health problem. Support your claim with data and statistics, and specify what will be addressed in your health promotion program, ensuring the outcome is realistic and measurable. Discuss the vulnerable population, including risk factors and supporting evidence. Review at least two scholarly journal articles—one being a systematic review—evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, and how they support your project. Present an appropriate health promotion or disease prevention theoretical or conceptual model as the guiding framework for your proposal.

Paper For Above instruction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease that significantly affects the elderly population worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of disability among adults, with estimates indicating that over 10% of men and 18% of women aged over 60 years suffer from symptomatic OA globally (WHO, 2019). In the United States, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that approximately 32.5 million adults are impacted by OA, with knee osteoarthritis being the most common form (CDC, 2020). The condition is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, decreased mobility, and reduced quality of life, often leading to dependency on healthcare resources and increased economic burden (Glynne-Jones et al., 2021). The significance of addressing OA in the elderly is underscored by its association with increased fall risk, functional decline, and comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes (Gao et al., 2020). Given the chronic nature and the impact on the elderly’s daily activities, effective, low-cost, and sustainable interventions are essential to alleviate pain and improve function in this vulnerable group.

The elderly population suffering from osteoarthritis constitutes a vulnerable demographic due to multiple risk factors. Age is a primary determinant, with the prevalence of OA increasing markedly after age 50, owing to cartilage degeneration, decreased regenerative capacity, and cumulative joint loading over life (Filippo et al., 2018). Additionally, obesity significantly contributes to the development and progression of OA, especially in weight-bearing joints like the knees, by increasing mechanical stress (Glynne-Jones et al., 2021). Sedentary lifestyles, common among seniors, exacerbate muscle weakness and joint stiffness, leading to further functional decline (Gao et al., 2020). Comorbid conditions such as hypertension and metabolic syndromes also impair mobility and increase susceptibility to osteoarthritis complications (Wang et al., 2019). Socioeconomic factors, including limited access to healthcare and low health literacy, often hinder early diagnosis and intervention in this population (Harper et al., 2022). Evidence suggests that these interconnected risk factors heighten vulnerability, impair mobility, and reduce quality of life among elderly individuals with OA.

A review of scholarly literature highlights various evidence-based interventions for managing osteoarthritis. A systematic review by Zhang et al. (2019) demonstrated that water-based exercises significantly reduce pain and improve function in OA patients. The review collectively found that hydrotherapy offers benefits over land-based exercises by minimizing joint load and providing therapeutic buoyancy, thereby facilitating increased activity levels with reduced discomfort. Strengths of this review include its comprehensive approach and inclusion of multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which bolster the reliability of the findings. However, limitations include heterogeneity among studies regarding exercise protocols and duration, which might affect generalizability. Nonetheless, this evidence strongly supports incorporating water exercises as a core component of osteoarthritis management programs.

In contrast, another study by Fransen et al. (2015) focused on land-based exercise interventions, concluding that supervised physical activity programs are effective in reducing pain and improving function among OA patients. This review emphasized the importance of tailored exercise regimens, including strength training, range-of-motion, and aerobic activities. Its strengths lie in the detailed analysis of various exercise modalities and implementation strategies, which are applicable in diverse clinical settings. Despite its positive findings, weaknesses include potential adherence issues and the need for supervised settings, which may limit accessibility. Both reviews underscore the critical role of physical activity in managing OA symptoms, with water-based exercises offering particular advantages for elderly patients with severe joint pain or mobility restrictions.

To guide the health promotion initiative aimed at enhancing pain management through exercise, the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is an appropriate framework. SCT emphasizes the dynamic interplay between personal factors, environmental influences, and behavior change, making it suitable for designing interventions that improve self-efficacy and motivation (Bandura, 1986). It advocates for observational learning, goal setting, and reinforced feedback, which can enhance adherence to water or land exercise programs among elderly patients with OA. Applying SCT allows for developing strategies that address perceived barriers, enhance confidence, and foster sustainable behavioral modifications critical for long-term disease management. Overall, this model supports the creation of tailored, behavior-oriented interventions aimed at increasing physical activity levels in the elderly, ultimately alleviating OA symptoms and improving functional status.

References

• Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Osteoarthritis. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/oa.htm
• Filippo, L., Corino, V., & Barbera, V. (2018). Age and osteoarthritis: Pathophysiology, clinical features, and management strategies. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 13, 2213–2222.
• Gao, Y., Zheng, P., & Li, D. (2020). Physical activity and osteoarthritis risk in older adults: A systematic review. Aging & Disease, 11(2), 351–359.
• Glynne-Jones, R., et al. (2021). The burden of osteoarthritis in the elderly: Epidemiology and health management strategies. Journal of Geriatric Medicine, 12(4), 305–312.
• Harper, C. R., et al. (2022). Socioeconomic and health literacy factors influencing osteoarthritis management in elderly populations. Journal of Public Health Policy, 43(1), 144–160.
• Wang, Y., et al. (2019). Comorbidity profiles and osteoarthritis outcomes among older adults. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 19(10), 1019–1025.
• Wang, S., et al. (2019). Risk factors for osteoarthritis progression in vulnerable populations. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 27(3), 403–412.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Global prevalence of osteoarthritis. WHO Reports.
• Zhang, W., et al. (2019). Effectiveness of water-based exercise in osteoarthritis management: A systematic review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 24(6), 405–415.