Researchers tested whether a special 8-week counseling program could help older women maintain their physical strength, mental sharpness, and overall health. Two hundred forty women aged 60 and older participated in the study. Half attended eight group counseling sessions that covered exercise, nutrition, brain health, mood, and hearing. The other half didn’t receive the program. After 8 weeks, the women who attended the counseling sessions showed significant improvements in their strength, balance, thinking skills, mood, and nutrition compared to those who didn’t participate. This suggests that structured lifestyle counseling programs may be an effective way to help older women maintain their abilities and independence as they age.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether an 8-week lifestyle counseling program could improve older women’s physical strength, mental health, thinking ability, nutrition, and sensory health
  • Who participated: 240 women aged 60 and older were divided into two groups. One group attended counseling sessions, while the other group didn’t receive any intervention during the study
  • Key finding: Women who attended the counseling program showed significantly better improvements across all five health areas compared to the control group, with the biggest gains in mood and psychological well-being
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older woman, participating in a structured lifestyle counseling program may help you maintain your strength, balance, thinking skills, and emotional health. However, this study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t yet know if these benefits last longer

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of scientific studies. Researchers randomly assigned 240 women aged 60 and older into two equal groups. The intervention group attended eight counseling sessions over 8 weeks, with each session lasting 30-45 minutes. The sessions were held in small groups of about 10 women and covered five important health areas: nutrition and energy levels, physical exercise and movement, mood and mental health, thinking and memory skills, and hearing and vision. Each session included education, goal-setting, and group discussions to help women apply what they learned. The control group didn’t receive any counseling during the study period but were given educational materials afterward.

Researchers measured five different aspects of health at the beginning and end of the 8 weeks using standard medical tests. They measured walking speed and balance (locomotion), thinking ability (cognition), mood and depression (psychological health), nutrition status (vitality), and hearing and vision (sensory health). This approach allowed them to see if the program helped with overall health or just specific areas.

Using a randomized controlled trial design is important because it helps prove that the counseling program itself caused the improvements, not other factors. By randomly assigning women to groups, researchers reduced the chance that differences between groups would affect the results. Testing multiple health areas at once shows whether the program helps with overall well-being or just one aspect of health. Using validated measurement tools means the results are reliable and can be compared to other studies.

This study has several strengths: it used a randomized design, included a good-sized group of 240 participants, measured multiple health areas with validated tools, and was registered before it started. However, there are some limitations to consider. The study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. All participants were women, so results may not apply to men. The study was conducted in Iran, so results may differ in other countries with different healthcare systems. We don’t know how long the improvements lasted after the program ended.

What the Results Show

Women who attended the counseling program showed significantly greater overall improvement in their intrinsic capacity (their combined physical and mental abilities) compared to the control group. The improvement was measured as a score of 2.07 points higher in the counseling group, which was statistically significant.

When researchers looked at each health area separately, they found improvements across all five domains. Walking speed and balance improved by 0.92 points, nutrition and energy improved by 1.01 points, thinking and memory improved by 0.80 points, mood and psychological health improved by 2.28 points (the largest improvement), and hearing and vision improved by 0.29 points.

The psychological health improvement was particularly notable, suggesting that the counseling program was especially effective at helping women manage depression and improve their overall mood. This makes sense because the program included specific sessions on mental well-being and goal-setting, which can boost confidence and motivation.

All of these improvements were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to have happened by chance. The researchers used statistical methods to account for differences between groups at the start of the study, making the results more reliable.

The study showed that the multidomain approach (addressing multiple health areas at once) was effective. Rather than focusing on just exercise or just nutrition, the program that combined all five areas produced improvements across all domains. This suggests that older women benefit from a comprehensive approach to health. The group-based format also appeared beneficial, as women could support each other and share experiences. The relatively short sessions (30-45 minutes) were manageable for older adults, suggesting that effective programs don’t need to be time-consuming.

This research supports previous studies showing that lifestyle interventions can help older adults maintain their health and abilities. However, most previous studies focused on single areas like exercise or nutrition. This study is notable for addressing multiple health domains at once, which appears to be more effective. The findings align with current recommendations from health organizations that older adults benefit from comprehensive approaches to healthy aging that include physical activity, good nutrition, cognitive stimulation, and mental health support.

The study only lasted 8 weeks, which is relatively short. We don’t know if the improvements continued after the program ended or if they lasted for months or years. The study only included women aged 60 and older, so we can’t be sure the results apply to younger people or to men. All participants were from Iran, so results may differ in other countries with different healthcare systems, cultures, and access to services. The control group knew they weren’t receiving the intervention, which might have affected their motivation or behavior. The study measured improvements just one week after the program ended, so we don’t have information about longer-term effects. Some women may have dropped out of the study, which could have affected the results.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a woman aged 60 or older, consider participating in a structured lifestyle counseling program that covers exercise, nutrition, mental health, cognitive activities, and sensory health. The evidence from this study suggests such programs can help you maintain your strength, balance, thinking ability, mood, and overall health. Start with a commitment of 8 weeks (about two months) to see if you notice improvements. Work with healthcare providers to find programs in your area or ask about group-based counseling options. Confidence level: Moderate. This is a well-designed study, but longer-term research is needed to confirm lasting benefits.

This research is most relevant to women aged 60 and older who want to maintain their physical and mental health. It may also interest family members and caregivers of older women, healthcare providers working with older adults, and public health officials planning programs for aging populations. Men and younger people should not assume these results apply to them without further research. People with serious medical conditions should consult their doctor before starting any new program.

Based on this study, you may notice improvements in your strength, balance, mood, and thinking within 8 weeks of starting the program. The biggest improvements appeared in mood and psychological well-being, which some women might notice within a few weeks. Physical improvements like walking speed and balance may take the full 8 weeks to become noticeable. However, we don’t know how long these improvements last after the program ends, so ongoing participation or maintenance activities may be necessary to sustain benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your participation in counseling sessions and rate your mood, energy level, and balance confidence on a scale of 1-10 after each session. Also track weekly physical activity minutes, meals with healthy nutrition, and cognitive activities like puzzles or reading to monitor your progress across all five health domains
  • Use the app to set specific weekly goals in each of the five health areas: commit to a certain number of exercise sessions, plan nutritious meals, schedule cognitive activities, practice mood-boosting techniques, and monitor your hearing or vision needs. Share your goals with an accountability partner through the app to increase motivation
  • Create a long-term tracking dashboard that measures changes in the five health domains over months. Set monthly check-ins to assess whether improvements from the 8-week program are being maintained. Track attendance at counseling sessions or similar programs, and monitor whether you’re maintaining the healthy habits you developed during the intervention

This research suggests that lifestyle counseling programs may help older women maintain their health and abilities, but it should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider. The study lasted only 8 weeks, so long-term benefits are unknown. Before starting any new health program, especially if you have existing medical conditions, take medications, or have concerns about your health, consult with your doctor. Results from this study may not apply to men, younger people, or people in different countries. This information is for educational purposes and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.