Author(s): HSU, K.C., WANG, C.A., WEN, H.J., Institution: 慈濟大學, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 1840

INTRODUCTION:
In the context of a super-aged society, traditional medical education often focuses on pathology, lacking opportunities for students to understand the life context of the elderly. Furthermore, University Social Responsibility (USR) programs often view elders merely as passive recipients of care. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the "Intergenerational Health Co-Creation Model (IHCM)," a novel intervention combining interactive exercise with narrative medicine. We hypothesized that this model would not only improve elders' physical agency but also trigger a "Mirror Effect" in students, enhancing their clinical empathy and personal health behaviors.
METHODS:
A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed over a 12-week intervention in Hualien, Taiwan. Participants included 35 university health-major students (age 19.8+/-1.2) and 13 community elders (age 68.5+/-4.8). The program consisted of paired resistance training, aerobic games, and tech-assisted health monitoring (smart wearables). Quantitative data were collected via pre- and post-intervention surveys. Paired-sample t-tests were used to analyze changes in interaction quality and self-efficacy. Qualitative data included 13 groups of semi-structured interviews and feedback from three experts (Health Bureau Chief, Professor, and Instructor). Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory to identify core mechanisms of change.
RESULTS:
Quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in both groups. For students, "Natural Interaction Confidence" increased significantly from 3.69+/-0.89 to 4.33+/-0.53 (p<0.001), and "Perceived Respect" rose from 3.84+/-0.73 to 4.51+/-0.56 (p<0.001). For elders, the most notable improvement was in "Self-Expression of Needs" (Agency), rising from 3.98+/-0.88 to 4.77+/-0.42 (p=0.001), and "Intergenerational Acceptance" increased from 2.86+/-0.64 to 3.64+/-0.81 (p=0.006).
Qualitative findings elucidated two key mechanisms explaining these statistics:
1. The Mirror Effect (Student Domain): Students viewed elders' physical limitations not just as clinical symptoms but as a "future projection" of themselves. This fear appeal triggered the Health Belief Model (HBM), prompting students to commit to lifestyle changes (e.g., reducing sugar intake) and deepening their empathy for the aging process.
2. Reciprocal Empowerment (Elder Domain): Elders shifted from a mindset of "being cared for" to "regaining agency." The "Ritual of Self-Gratitude" (thanking one's body after exercise) was identified as a key psychological driver for adherence.

CONCLUSION:
This study validates the IHCM, demonstrating that structured intergenerational exercise is a dual-benefit intervention. It transforms students from technical instructors into empathetic practitioners via the Mirror Effect and empowers elders to reclaim physical autonomy. The program's success has led to its adoption by the local Health Bureau as a scalable social prescription model, expanding to six new community hubs. This study was suppor