The Effect of Walking Exercise and Consumption of Steeping Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita) on Depression in the Elderly in Langsa City

BACKGROUND: The population of the elderly is increasing rapidly in almost every part of the world. A common problem faced by the elderly is prolonged depression. One of the practical and economic efforts to reduce depression is by walking and consuming chamomile flowers. AIM: The aim of this study is to analyzing the effect of walking exercise and consumption of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flower infusion on depression in the elderly in Langsa City. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group design. This research was conducted from September to December 2020 in Karang Anyar Village, Langsa City. The population in this study were all elderly who met the inclusion criteria. The sample was selected as many as 24 elderly. The sample size of the study was calculated using the formula for the sample size for experimental research from Federer, namely (t–1) (r–1) ≥15). Data collection techniques in this study were interviews and observations using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire instrument, which was carried out twice, namely at the time before treatment and after treatment in four groups, namely, the control group, the walking exercise group, the chamomile flower consumption group and the combination group of walking and exercise. Consume chamomile flowers. Data analysis used paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance test to see the effect of the intervention on depression. RESULTS: This study’s results indicate that walking can significantly reduce the GDS depression score with a p-value of 0.025. This study indicates that consumption of chamomile Flower can significantly reduce the GDS score of the elderly with a p-value of 0.037. This study showed that the combination of walking and consumption of chamomile tea was able to significantly reduce the GDS depression score with a p-value of 0.017. When viewed from the p-value, this treatment group showed the most significant reduction in the GDS depression score than the other two treatment groups, namely walking and consumption of chamomile tea. In the walking exercise group, the chamomile flowers were the consumption treatment group combined treatment group walking and chamomile tea consumption. All three treatments had the same ability to reduce the GDS score, as evidenced by a p-value of 0.808 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Walking exercise and consumption of chamomile tea can significantly reduce the GDS score of the elderly in Langsa City.