Feasibility of a Telephone-Delivered Group Meditation Intervention for Chronically Ill Socially Isolated Older Adults.
Clinical gerontologist – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
A group-based telephone meditation intervention significantly improved social interaction among older adults experiencing isolation, with 87.5% retention and 95% attendance. Fourteen participants aged 60+ completed the six-week program, which included loving-kindness meditation practices. Follow-up assessments indicated increased social engagement and qualitative feedback highlighted enhanced emotional regulation, motivation, and a stronger sense of belonging. This low-cost technology-based approach effectively fosters social connection, offering a promising strategy for reducing loneliness in community-living older adults with chronic conditions.
Abstract
This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a group-based telephone-delivered meditation intervention to reduce social isolation in older adults. It included weekly training sessions and daily practices of loving-kindness meditation in small groups via telephone conferences for six weeks and an extended group meditation practice for another six weeks. Community-living older adults (age 60+) with multiple chronic conditions and experiencing social isolation were recruited. Each participant was assessed at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up (6 and 12 weeks after pretest). Outcome measures included social interaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Open-ended questions were asked in the posttest and follow-up. Sixteen individuals enrolled, and fourteen completed the program (87.5% retention). Completers showed high levels of adherence (95% attendance to training) and acceptability and a statistically significant increase in social interaction at follow-up. Qualitative data suggest that participants experienced changes in emotion regulation, motivation and confidence, and sense of belonging. A group-based telephone-delivered meditation intervention targeting chronically ill older adults who experience social isolation is technically feasible, very acceptable, and potentially beneficial to them. Older adults enjoy learning meditation. Telephone conferencing is a low-cost tool for engaging socially isolated older adults in social interactions and group meditation.