Health Coaching Enhanced Older Adults’ Self-Efficacy in Managing Their Chronic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Although health coaching is a well-known self-management intervention for individuals with chronic diseases, the research on its effect on older adults is limited. A total of 414 older Hong Kong adults were randomly assigned to the intervention group, which received 12-week health coaching sessions, and the control group without intervention. Participants in the intervention group completed assessments at three time points (baseline, postintervention, and three-month follow-up), and those in the control group completed baseline and three-month follow-up assessments. Generalized estimating equations first revealed a significant improvement in self-efficacy and blood pressures among the intervention group participants, and such improvements were maintained at follow-up. In addition, the self-efficacy of the intervention group significantly increased while that of the control group significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up. Thus, the overall results demonstrate the effectiveness of the health coaching intervention in improving the self-efficacy of older adults in managing their chronic diseases and health risks.