A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults
Background: Loneliness is an increasingly widespread issue among older adults globally, with significant implications on physical, social, and mental health. While various interventions exist to address this challenge, their long-term effects remain unclear. Using a 3-arm randomized controlled trial...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425000535 |
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| author | Vivien Foong Yee Tang Da Jiang Maninder Kahlon Esther Oi-wah Chow Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung Rhonda Aubrey Kee-Lee Chou |
| author_facet | Vivien Foong Yee Tang Da Jiang Maninder Kahlon Esther Oi-wah Chow Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung Rhonda Aubrey Kee-Lee Chou |
| author_sort | Vivien Foong Yee Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Loneliness is an increasingly widespread issue among older adults globally, with significant implications on physical, social, and mental health. While various interventions exist to address this challenge, their long-term effects remain unclear. Using a 3-arm randomized controlled trial, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-based and layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy (Tele-NT) and empathy-focused program (Tele-EP) against an active control group (ACG) in reducing loneliness. Methods: 282 community-dwelling lonely older adults will be recruited and randomly allocated into 1 of the 3 interventions. Older adults will receive two 30-min intervention per week, over the course of 4 weeks, delivered over the phone by a layperson. Assessments will be conducted in-person at baseline (T0), 1-month (T1), 6-month (T2), and 12-month (T3) post-intervention. The primary outcome will be assessed using the Chinese validated 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. The secondary outcomes will include sleep quality, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms. Potential mediators and moderators will also be explored. The data will be analysed using linear mixed models on an intention-to-treat basis. Discussion: This RCT is effective, Tele-NT and/or Tele-EP could serve as a model for broader implementation in the community, offering practical solutions to mitigate loneliness and its associated health burdens in the aging populations. Trial registration: This trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR2300070179 on April 4, 2024. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6e1194829a6e4cf6834ab00b9dbcdb13 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2451-8654 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-6e1194829a6e4cf6834ab00b9dbcdb132025-08-20T02:05:10ZengElsevierContemporary Clinical Trials Communications2451-86542025-06-014510147910.1016/j.conctc.2025.101479A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adultsVivien Foong Yee Tang0Da Jiang1Maninder Kahlon2Esther Oi-wah Chow3Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung4Rhonda Aubrey5Kee-Lee Chou6The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong KongThe Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Corresponding author.The University of Texas at Austin, United StatesHong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong KongCity University of Hong Kong, Hong KongThe University of Texas at Austin, United StatesThe Education University of Hong Kong, Hong KongBackground: Loneliness is an increasingly widespread issue among older adults globally, with significant implications on physical, social, and mental health. While various interventions exist to address this challenge, their long-term effects remain unclear. Using a 3-arm randomized controlled trial, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-based and layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy (Tele-NT) and empathy-focused program (Tele-EP) against an active control group (ACG) in reducing loneliness. Methods: 282 community-dwelling lonely older adults will be recruited and randomly allocated into 1 of the 3 interventions. Older adults will receive two 30-min intervention per week, over the course of 4 weeks, delivered over the phone by a layperson. Assessments will be conducted in-person at baseline (T0), 1-month (T1), 6-month (T2), and 12-month (T3) post-intervention. The primary outcome will be assessed using the Chinese validated 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. The secondary outcomes will include sleep quality, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms. Potential mediators and moderators will also be explored. The data will be analysed using linear mixed models on an intention-to-treat basis. Discussion: This RCT is effective, Tele-NT and/or Tele-EP could serve as a model for broader implementation in the community, offering practical solutions to mitigate loneliness and its associated health burdens in the aging populations. Trial registration: This trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR2300070179 on April 4, 2024.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425000535Randomized controlled trialLayperson-deliveredTelephone-basedWisdom-enhancement narrative therapyEmpathy-focused programLoneliness |
| spellingShingle | Vivien Foong Yee Tang Da Jiang Maninder Kahlon Esther Oi-wah Chow Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung Rhonda Aubrey Kee-Lee Chou A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications Randomized controlled trial Layperson-delivered Telephone-based Wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy Empathy-focused program Loneliness |
| title | A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults |
| title_full | A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults |
| title_fullStr | A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults |
| title_short | A three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol: Effects of telephone-based, layperson-delivered wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy and empathy-focused interventions on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults |
| title_sort | three arm randomized controlled trial protocol effects of telephone based layperson delivered wisdom enhancement narrative therapy and empathy focused interventions on loneliness social and mental health in older adults |
| topic | Randomized controlled trial Layperson-delivered Telephone-based Wisdom-enhancement narrative therapy Empathy-focused program Loneliness |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425000535 |
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