THE EFFECTS OF APPLICATION YOGA WITH PHAKHAWMA FOR FLEXIBILITY AND QUALITY OF SLEEP IN THE ELDERLY

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate and compare the effects of application yoga with phakhawma (Thai traditional cloth) on flexibility and sleep quality among elderly before the training, during the fourth week of training, and after the eighth week of training. The sample consisted of 20 female elderly aged 60 years and over from the Rayong Municipality Elderly Club. The participants were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to one experimental group. They participated in an applied yoga program using phakhawma, which emphasized flexibility exercises and breathing techniques. The program was conducted for 8 weeks, twice a week, with each session lasting 60 minutes. Flexibility was assessed using the Back Scratch Test and the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test, while sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Measurements were taken before the training, during the fourth week of training, and after the eighth week of training. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (One-way Repeated Measures ANOVA). The results showed that the mean scores of the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test were 1.898 ± 1.935, 2.757 ± 2.230, and 3.461 ± 2.614, respectively. The mean scores of the Back Scratch Test were 0.068 ± 2.024, 0.355 ± 2.001, and 0.629 ± 1.977, respectively. The mean scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were 6.050 ± 1.572, 4.800 ± 2.215, and 3.350 ± 1.496, respectively. The results of the repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (F = 18.650, p < .001), the Back Scratch Test (F = 27.276, p < .001), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (F = 60.419, p < .001) at the .05 level of statistical significance. Pairwise comparisons indicated significant differences among the pre-training, fourth-week, and eighth-week measurements (p < .05). In conclusion, the applied yoga program using phakhawma effectively improved flexibility and sleep quality among elderly.