Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention versus a social contact control in alleviating loneliness among older adults: a randomised controlled trial.

Loneliness is common among Chinese older adults. A randomized controlled trial compared an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention for older adults (MBOA) with a social contact control (SCC) in 245 community-dwelling lonely adults aged 60 or older in Hong Kong. At 12 months, there was no significant difference in loneliness reduction between the two groups, though both improved (within-group effect size: MBOA -0.58, SCC -0.31). MBOA participants showed reduced depressive symptoms and a trend toward less anxiety at 6 months compared with SCC. The findings suggest MBOA is not superior to social contact for loneliness but may benefit psychological symptoms.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Loneliness is highly prevalent among Chinese older adults. Mindfulness-based interventions for older adults (MBOA) have demonstrated potential in alleviating loneliness. However, few studies have employed active controls with long-term follow-up. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of MBOA in reducing loneliness compared with social contact control (SCC). This parallel, randomised controlled trial (RCT) assigned community-dwelling lonely Chinese older adults (≥60 years) in Hong Kong to MBOA or SCC. Both interventions comprised 8 weekly 1.5-hour group-based face-to-face sessions. Assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention and at 6-month and 12-month postrandomisation. The primary outcome was loneliness score at 12 months, analysed using analysis of covariance under the intention-to-treat approach. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life and healthcare utilisation. Changes in psychological measures were analysed using linear mixed models. A total of 245 eligible participants were randomised to MBOA (n=123) or SCC (n=122). No significant between-group difference in primary outcome was found (mean difference=-0.14, p=0.52, effect size=-0.21), although both groups showed improvement in loneliness (within-group effect size: MBOA=-0.58, SCC=-0.31). MBOA participants reported reduced depressive symptoms and a decreasing trend in anxiety at 6 months compared with SCC. This is the first RCT examining efficacy of MBOA in alleviating loneliness among Chinese older adults using an active control with long-term assessments. MBOA is not superior to SCC in reducing loneliness, although it may reduce psychological symptoms. Clinicians could consider prioritising mindfulness-based interventions for lonely older adults when depressive or anxiety symptoms are prominent.