The application of Dousa-hou to the group of elderly people living local communities to make mutual exchange and feeling of self-body

Abstract

The current study assessed the value of a dohsa-hou （method for bodily movement） program implemented among local elderly residents, organized as a group, to avoid the need for long-term care. The main goal of the program was to change individuals’ perception of their own bodies and increase social interaction. Results showed that although it was difficult to establish dohsa （bodily movement） tasks for individuals or provide individual support when conducting group dohsa-hou, the sense of participants’ own bodies changed after dohsa-hou was implemented. In addition, having participants work in pairs to perform relaxation exercises allowed participants to act as both a supporter and support recipient. This allowed participants to exhibit social interaction. These results suggest that dohsa-hou would be useful for many local group activities among elderly residents. The changes in the sense of an elderly individual’s own body, and the way he or she becomes engaged, varies based on his or her characteristics. Therefore, it is also important to provide support by understanding the characteristics of each individual.