The effect of Roy Adaptation Model on the quality of life and general health of elderly people in nursing homes: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Because of longer life expectancies and fewer births, aging is becoming a bigger worldwide public health problem. It is essential to attend to the physical, psychological, and social needs of the aging population, especially in nations like Iran. The Roy Adaptation Model (RAM), a comprehensive framework for enhancing older adults' well-being, is one model that can direct such interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess how an educational program based on the Roy Adaptation Model affected the general health and quality of life of elderly citizens that reside in nursing homes.

Methods: Forty four elderly residents of a nursing home in Khoy, Iran, were selected using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design using a pretest-posttest methodology. They were then randomized to either the intervention group (n = 22) or the control group (n = 22). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-brief) were used to assess the performance of the intervention group before and six weeks after the intervention. The intervention group received four specially designed educational sessions based on the framework of the Roy Adaptation Model.

Results: The participants' average age was 66.67 ± 5.44 years. The quality of life scores of the intervention group improved statistically significantly after the intervention (from 35.54 to 39.77; p < .001). The general health score also showed a significant improvement, falling from 38.40 to 34.18 (p < .001), indicating improved health. The quality of life (p < .001) and general health (p = .038) scores of the intervention group were considerably higher than those of the control group at the post-test.

Conclusion: The Roy Adaptation Model-based educational programs seem to be a successful strategy for raising the standard of living and fostering general health among senior citizens living in assisted living facilities.

Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) on 2025-08-27 (Registration number: IRCT20250723066609N1).

Keywords: Elderly; General health; Nursing home; Quality of life; Roy adaptation model.