Comparative Effects of Self-Compassion Training, Motor Exercise, and an Integrated Intervention on Neuromuscular Coordination and Balance During Walking in Older Adults with Chronic Pain

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22126/jap.2026.12734.1872

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of self-compassion training, physical exercise, and a combined intervention on neuromuscular coordination and balance in older adults with chronic pain during walking.

Method: This semi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The population consisted of older adults aged 65–80 in Tehran, Iran. From this population, 48 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to four groups . Interventions were conducted over four weeks in eight sessions, with each session lasting 40 minutes for the self-compassion and exercise groups and 60 minutes for the combined group in 2025. Research instruments included the Guralnik Sit-to-Stand Test, Richardson Timed Up-and-Go Test, and the Hayes and Patterson Visual Pain Scale. The experimental groups received the rehabilitation interventions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS26.

Findings: The results indicated that all three interventions led to significant improvements in neuromuscular coordination and balance compared to the control group, which showed no significant changes over time (P<0.05). Post-hoc Bonferroni comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences between the intervention groups; however, the combined intervention showed the highest mean improvement in the measured variables.

Conclusion: Self-compassion training, physical exercise, and combined interventions are effective approaches to enhancing neuromuscular coordination and balance in older adults with chronic pain. Integrating psychological and physical interventions may provide a comprehensive strategy to improve functional outcomes in this population.

Main Subjects

Aging Psychology
Volume 11, Issue 4
December 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 21 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 24 March 2026

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