Optimized Implementation Strategies for Traditional Chinese Medicine Management Interventions in Sub-Healthy Elderly Population and Their Impact on Quality of Life Enhancement

Abstract

Objective: To assess the clinical application and therapeutic efficacy of the Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) management model among elderly individuals in a sub-health state, and to evaluate its impact on patients' quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, analyzing clinical data from sub-health elderly patients who received care at a designated medical institution between January 2021 and December 2023. A total of 180 patients meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were recruited and stratified into two arms based on the intervention administered. The control group received routine care without specific management protocols, whereas the experimental group underwent a structured TCM management model intervention (It covers herbal therapy, acupunture, Tui Na, medical diets and teas, etc). Outcome measures, including symptomatic relief, health-related quality of life (assessed using the SF-36 scale), and patient satisfaction, were compared between the two groups to determine the intervention's efficacy.

Results: There were no significant differences in the basic information between the two groups, indicating comparability (P>0.05). The overall effective rate of treatment in the experimental group (98.89%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (51.11%). After the intervention, the SCL-90 scores of the experimental group patients (1.32±0.25, 1.65±0.45, 1.71±0.56, 1.42±0.25, 1.45±0.31, 1.23±0.34, 1.33±0.28, 1.42±0.18, 1.37±0.29) were significantly lower than those of the control group (1.89±0.32, 1.97±0.41, 1.95±0.35, 1.85±0.23, 1.78±0.27, 1.86±0.34, 1.93±0.35, 1.68±0.19, 1.67±0.28), P<0.05. The health status scores of the experimental group patients (69.25±5.96, 25.78±3.22, 1.51±0.52, 1.03±0.36, 0.95±0.12, 3.99±0.68) were significantly higher than those of the control group (65.02±6.11, 18.23±2.14, 1.11±0.23, 0.85±0.21, 0.71±0.22, 3.13±0.25). The GSES score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. The UCLA-LS score of the experimental group (25.22±9.14) was significantly lower than that of the control group (39.47±8.37). The SF-36 scores of the experimental group (85.14±5.14, 87.65±5.56, 79.36±4.69, 60.23±8.73, 64.25±5.14, 78.36±4.65, 66.89±5.11, 67.65±7.03) were all higher than those of the control group (58.36±6.11, 45.36±6.05, 40.35±7.11, 25.69±8.41, 33.23±5.56, 40.56±8.56, 35.21±2.25, 35.49±5.87). The LSIA score of the experimental group (15.88±1.56) was higher than that of the control group (11.03±1.13), All P<0.05.

Conclusion: The TCM management model effectively alleviates symptoms, enhances health status, and improves psychological resilience among elderly patients in a sub-health state. It significantly elevates their QoL and life satisfaction, indicating substantial potential for widespread adoption and integration into mainstream healthcare practices for geriatric sub-health populations. However, this study still has limitations that require further refinement in subsequent research.

Keywords: elderly; quality of life; sub-health; traditional Chinese medical management model.

Figure 1

Comparison of SCL-90 Scores After Intervention Between the Two Groups.

Figure 2

Comparison of Health Status Scores After Intervention Between the Two Groups.

Figure 3

Comparison of UCLA-LS Scores After Intervention Between the Two Groups.

Figure 4

Comparison of SF-36 Scores After Intervention Between the Two Groups.

Figure 5

Comparison of LSIA Scores After Intervention Between the Two Groups.