Tackling social disconnection: an umbrella review of RCT-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness

BMC Public Health, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 24(1)

Опубликована: Июль 17, 2024

Abstract Background Social isolation and loneliness are urgent public health concerns associated with negative physical mental outcomes. Understanding effective remedies is crucial in addressing these problems. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize critically appraise scientific evidence on the effectiveness of social interventions overall across subgroups. We focused systematic reviews (SRs) randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods searched seven databases (June 2022 updated June 2023) supplemented search grey literature reference screening identify SRs published since 2017. Screening, data extraction, quality assessment using AMSTAR2 tool were conducted independently by author pairs, disagreements resolved through discussion. Results included 29 SRs, 16 meta-analysis 13 narrative synthesis. All loneliness, 12 additionally examining isolation. Four young people, 11 all ages, 14 older adults. The most frequently examined intervention types (social contact, support), psychological (therapy, psychoeducation, skills training), digital (e.g., computer use online support). Meta-analyses indicated small-to-moderate beneficial effects, while synthesis demonstrated mixed or no effect. for promising. However, caution warranted due effects’ small magnitude, significant heterogeneity, variable SRs. Digital other showed effect; however, advised interpreting results highly diverse nature studied. Conclusions overview shows moderate reducing ones tackling loneliness. Further rigorously RCTs needed guide policy decisions regarding implementation efficacious scalable interventions. Evaluation should focus both preventive structural tailored mitigating strategies that address specific causes

Язык: Английский

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The effectiveness of technology interventions in reducing social isolation and loneliness among community-dwelling older people: A mixed methods systematic review

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 1(1), С. 100008 - 100008

Опубликована: Фев. 3, 2024

This study reviewed technology-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults. Specific aims were to identify theoretical perspectives, assess intervention effectiveness, barriers enablers of these interventions. A mixed methods systematic review studies was conducted, searching six databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ACM Embase). Peer-reviewed articles describing communicative with qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, or observational designs, conducted community settings adults (aged ≥65 years), where and/or key outcome measures, included. The quality the assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Nineteen included review. Theory integration rare studies' research designs. Most small-scale pilot feasibility studies, displaying diverse small sample sizes, variable MMAT-assessed quality. highlighted significant such as resource demands, participant health, literacy, technical challenges. Significant demands continue impede addressing populations. Future designs must adapt overcome challenges, tailoring approaches marginalised often frail communities aim support.

Язык: Английский

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The Effects of a Digital Well-being Intervention on Older Adults: Retrospective Analysis of Real-world User Data

JMIR Aging, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 5(3), С. e39851 - e39851

Опубликована: Июнь 28, 2022

Background Digital interventions have been shown to be effective for a variety of mental health disorders and problems. However, few studies examined the effects digital in older adults; therefore, little is known about how adults engage with or benefit from these interventions. Given that adoption rates technology among people aged ≥65 years remain substantially lower than general population approximately 20% are affected by disorders, research exploring whether will use needed. Objective This study aimed examine extent which engaged well-being intervention (Happify) engaging this program led improvements both subjective anxiety symptoms. Methods In retrospective analysis, we analyzed data 375 real-world Happify users who signed up platform between January 1, 2019, December 23, 2021. Changes symptoms across 42 182 days were assessed using responses in-app assessment, prompted take every 2 weeks, compared at recommended level (ie, more activities per week) below level. Results all, 30% (113/375) sample completed an average week), overall, 43.35 (SD 87.80) activities, ranging 1 786, their first last assessment. Users also active on 19.36 27.16) days, 152 days. Moreover, experienced significantly greater (P=.002) (P<.001) relative those fewer activities. Conclusions These provide preliminary evidence We believe findings highlight importance considering adult populations research. More needed understand potential barriers should modified account population’s particular needs (eg, ensuring accessible devices). results important step demonstrating feasibility such assumed less inclined toward approaches.

Язык: Английский

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Progress towards enhanced access and use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic: A need to be mindful of the continued digital divide for many rural and northern communities

Healthcare Management Forum, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 35(5), С. 286 - 290

Опубликована: Июль 20, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic produced unprecedented adoption and deployment of technology in rural northern areas; however, this expansion widened the digital divide for many. Evidence shows that older adults' use has increased. Coupled with an increasing number available technologies to enhance healthcare delivery, social engagement, meaningful activities, support carers, we are at a crossroads change. Emerging strategies used by organizations promote efforts bridge close discussed. In post-pandemic society, policy-makers can play critical role ensure improvements, efficiency gains, lessons learned fully leveraged reap benefits adults, care partners, system. Recommendations given capitalize on opportunity narrow those communities.

Язык: Английский

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Managing Perceived Loneliness and Social-Isolation Levels for Older Adults: A Survey with Focus on Wearables-Based Solutions

Sensors, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 22(3), С. 1108 - 1108

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2022

As an inevitable process, the number of older adults is increasing in many countries worldwide. Two main problems that society being confronted with more and more, this respect, are inter-related aspects feelings loneliness social isolation among adults. In particular, ongoing COVID-19 crisis its associated restrictions have exacerbated social-isolation problems. This paper first foremost a comprehensive survey monitoring management solutions, from multidisciplinary perspective technology, gerontology, socio-psychology, urban built environment. addition, our also investigates machine learning-based technological solutions wearable-sensor data, suitable to measure, monitor, manage, and/or diminish levels isolation, when one considers constraints characteristics coming science, architecture/urban environments points view. Compared existing state art, work unique cross-disciplinary point view, because authors' team combines expertise four distinct domains, i.e., psychology, architecture, wireless technology addressing two literature aforementioned domains proposed wearable-based solution, introduced as generic framework and, then, exemplified through simple proof concept dummy data. findings, we provide view on challenges utilizing various technologies, particularly those carried by users, known wearables, perceived summarize identified which can be used for measuring loneliness- isolation-related metrics, present validate, proof-of-concept mechanism, approach based learning predicting estimating levels. Open research issues field discussed.

Язык: Английский

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Benchmarking Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Smoking: Challenges and Opportunities for Public Health

American Journal of Epidemiology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 192(8), С. 1238 - 1242

Опубликована: Май 18, 2023

Abstract Over the past decade, health implications of social isolation and loneliness garnered global attention due in part to a widely cited meta-analysis that benchmarked associations between cigarette smoking mortality with several social-relationship measures mortality. Leaders systems, research, government, popular media have since claimed harms are comparable smoking. Our commentary examines basis this comparison. We suggest comparisons isolation, loneliness, been helpful for raising awareness robust evidence linking relationships health. However, analogy often oversimplifies may overemphasize treating or at individual level without sufficient on population-level prevention. As communities, governments, sector practitioners navigate opportunities change, we believe now is time focus greater structures environments promote constrain healthy relationships.

Язык: Английский

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High-speed broadband availability, Internet activity among older people, quality of life and loneliness

New Media & Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 26(5), С. 2889 - 2913

Опубликована: Июнь 4, 2022

Using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), linked to administrative high-speed broadband availability infrastructure maps, this study examines patterns of Internet uses and psychosocial outcomes for over 3500 people aged 50 plus across Ireland. High-speed is associated with higher reported levels home access, greater frequency use more engagement activities. Controlling demographic socio-economic circumstances, regression models show that quality life among daily users the Internet. Little association found loneliness. Quality Internet-based communication applications such as email video calls, there some evidence loneliness may be less pronounced these applications. findings are consistent view digital can enhance lives older thus supportive policies interventions address potential ‘grey’ divides.

Язык: Английский

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Effectiveness of home-based interventions in improving loneliness and social connectedness among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aging & Mental Health, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 28(1), С. 1 - 10

Опубликована: Июль 19, 2023

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based interventions in improving loneliness and social connectedness (primary outcomes), depressive symptoms (secondary outcome) among older adults.Methods Eight electronic databases were searched from inception dates to February 2022. Meta-analyses conducted using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed I2 statistics Cochran’s Q chi-squared test. The Cochrane risk bias tool Grades Recommendation, Assessment, Development, Evaluation (GRADE) used appraise included studies.Results Fourteen randomized controlled trials included. Home-based found significantly increase adults’ (social support engagement) reduce their symptoms. Subgroup analyses suggested that which lasted more than three months delivered mixed platforms favorable. Both professional-led volunteer-led showed favorable results.Conclusions Future studies could be varied geographical regions consider carrying out follow-up assessments. improved by being months, personnel, platforms. Considering low-quality rating GRADE approach, future research is needed confirm current findings.

Язык: Английский

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Digital Health Interventions for Mental Health Improvement in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

Опубликована: Янв. 10, 2025

Mental health issues are common among older adults with mild cognitive impairment. However, despite the growing use of digital interventions to improve function, their impact on mental remains largely underexplored. To evaluate effectiveness outcomes in impairment, both overall and subgroup-specific effectiveness. A systematic review meta-analysis randomized controlled trials was conducted, searches 7 databases from inception March 2024. The primary were outcomes. Quality assessment used Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. Subgroup analysis examined variations based specific intervention characteristics, sensitivity meta-regression exploring other potential sources heterogeneity. total 11 studies 610 participants met selection criteria. demonstrated that reduced depressive symptoms (SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.92 -0.19) anxiety -0.47, -0.76 -0.18); however, no significant effect positive 0.74, -0.46 1.94) negative affect -0.23, -0.60 0.14). indicated hospital or nursing home settings non-portable modality optimal. Furthermore, over 6 weeks, sessions exceeding 30 minutes occurring up 2 per week, more effective for symptoms. This indicates hold promise improving Future research should focus integrating therapeutic technologies develop comprehensive interventions. CRD42024522342

Язык: Английский

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Interventions to Reduce Loneliness among Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Network Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 26(3), С. 105441 - 105441

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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