Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the research trends and identify developmental direction of studies on nursing interventions for elders. Methods: Nursing literature databases were searched to identify studies on nursing intervention for elders published between 1996 and February 2010. Results: Analysis was done for 114 studies that met inclusion criteria. The quantity of studies on interventions for elderly people most actively increased between 2001 and 2005. Nursing intervention methods for elders were exercise, complementary & alternative therapy, music, education, and others. The outcome variables were mostly physical & physiologic variables. Only 5 studies included social variables. Conclusion: The study findings indicate an increase in quantity of studies on interventions for elders after 2001. But various and effective nursing interventions in elder selection, research design, and outcome variables need to be developed as a way to further improve the quality of studies.