Effect of the Combination of Stretching and Red Ginger Hydrotherapy on Pain Reduction in Elderly Patients with Gout Arthritis in Bengkulu, Indonesia

Abstrak

Gout arthritis is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated uric acid levels that trigger the formation of crystals in the joints, resulting in pain, inflammation, and limited mobility, particularly in the elderly. Non-pharmacological interventions offer an effective alternative for pain relief without the side effects of medication. The combination of stretching exercises and red ginger hydrotherapy offers an innovative, safe, and practical approach. Stretching improves flexibility and blood circulation, while red ginger provides a natural warming and anti-inflammatory effect. The synergy between the two has the potential to be an effective strategy for reducing gouty arthritis pain and enhancing independence in self-care among the elderly. This study aimed to determine the effect of combined stretching and red ginger hydrotherapy on pain levels among elderly patients with gout arthritis at Nusa Indah Public Health Center, Bengkulu City, Indonesia. This study used a quantitative pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 39 elderly respondents. Pain levels were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after the intervention. The results of the normality test, using the Shapiro–Wilk test, showed an abnormal distribution. Therefore, the researcher then used the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with a 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). The mean pain score decreased from 4.79 before to 2.05 after the intervention. The results demonstrated a significant effect of stretching and red ginger hydrotherapy on reducing pain intensity (p = 0.000; p < 0.05). Regular implementation of these therapies is recommended to promote comfort and independence in managing gout-related pain among the elderly.