Skip to main content

Table 2 Characteristics of included studies

From: Methods of identifying and recruiting older people at risk of social isolation and loneliness: a mixed methods review

Author, year

Location

Type of study

Aim of study

Intervention setting

Bouwman et al., 2017

The Netherlands

Quasi-experimental

To evaluate the effectiveness of an online adaptation of the friendship enrichment programme

Community

Collins and Benedict, 2006

USA

Pre-experimental, pre-test, post-test

To evaluate the effects of a community-based educational program designed to promote health by enhancing older adults’ mastery while decreasing loneliness and stress

Community

Cox et al., 2007

USA

Quasi-experimental

To increase the capacity of cognitively able elders to effectively manage their own care and optimize relationships with caregivers

Community, home and nursing home

Cresswell et al., 2012

USA

RCT

To test the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulnes stress reduction program on loneliness among older adults

Community

Dickens et al., 2011

UK

Prospective Controlled Trial

To evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based mentoring service for improving mental health, social engagement and physical health for socially isolated people

Community

Freidman et al., 2017

USA

Pre and post intervention

To pilot test an intervention aimed at promoting psychological well-being among community living older adults

Community

Fokkema and Knipscheer, 2007

Netherlands

Mixed method- qualitative and quantitative study

To evaluate the outcome of a digital intervention to reduce loneliness among chronically ill and disabled older adults

Home

Gracia and Moyle, 2010

Australia

Qualitative

To assess perceptions of a self-help print-delivered intervention aimed at addressing loneliness in a retirement village community.

Retirement village

Greenwald and Beery, 2001

USA

Longitudinal study design

To evaluate the outcome of an intervention designed to reduce isolation and improve quality of life

Community

Honigh-De Vlaming et al., 2013a

Netherlands

Qualitative study

To investigate how mass media communication materials, information meetings and psychological courses were received by elderly people at high risk of isolation

Community

Honigh-De Vlaming et al., 2013b

Netherlands

Quasi-experimental pre-test post-test

Evaluation of a two-year complex intervention to reduce loneliness in non-institutionalised elderly Dutch people

Home and group

Jones et al., 2015

UK

Before and After

To evaluate the value and impact of internet use on loneliness among older people

Home and group setting

Kahlbaugh et al., 2011

USA

RCT

To investigate the effect of Wii technology on physical activity, loneliness and mood.

Home

Kremers et al., 2006

Netherlands

RCT

Effect of a short group intervention on self-management, well-being, social and emotional loneliness of single older women

Community

McAuley et al., 2000

USA

RCT

To evaluate the effect of physical activity on subjective wellbeing (SWB) and the role played by physical activity participation and social support in changes in SWB over time

Community

Ollonqvist et al., 2008

Finland

RCT

To determine the effectiveness of a new rehabilitation model on loneliness among frail older people

Rehabilitation centres

Pitkala et al., 2009

Finland

RCT

To investigate the impact of group rehabilitation on use of health care services and mortality from older persons suffering from loneliness (same population as Routasalo et al., 2009)

Rehabilitation centre

Routasalo et al., 2009

Finland

RCT

To evaluate the effect of a psychosocial group nursing intervention on older people’s feelings of loneliness, social activity and psychological well-being (same population as Routasalo)

Rehabilitation centre

Saito et al., 2012

Japan

RCT

To investigate the effect of a social isolation prevention program on loneliness, depression and well-being of older adults in Japan

Community

Slegers et al., 2008

Netherlands

RCT

To investigate the relationship between computer use and wellbeing (physical, social and emotional) and quality of life

Community and home

Stewart et al., 2001

Canada

Pre-test, post-test

To evaluate the impact of support groups on widowed seniors’ loneliness/isolation.

Community

White et al., 2002

USA

RCT

To evaluate the impact of providing internet training and access to older adults

Community and nursing home