Telephone loneliness programs produced mixed questionnaire results
Behavioural activation calls improved one loneliness score versus support calls in disadvantaged older adults living alone. Another loneliness questionnaire showed no significant advantage.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Behavioural activation calls lowered loneliness scores compared with support calls on the UCLA questionnaire at later follow-ups. The De Jong Gierveld questionnaire showed no statistically significant advantage from 4 weeks through 6 months. Mindfulness results also differed between questionnaires, so neither program consistently improved loneliness across both measures in this particular older population.
The abstract provides no effect sizes or confidence intervals, leaving magnitude and precision unclear. Participants’ specific living circumstances limit how broadly the results can be applied.
What researchers found
UCLA loneliness score
Compared with support calls, scores were significantly lower at 3 and 6 months after intervention.
Support calls were the comparator
The comparison group also received human contact through befriending and support calls. The study therefore examined whether structured psychological programs added benefit beyond supportive telephone attention.
Mindfulness depended on the measure
Compared with support calls, mindfulness lowered UCLA scores at 3 months but raised De Jong Gierveld scores at 4 weeks and 6 months. It showed no significant advantage for perceived support, stress, psychological well-being, depression or anxiety.
The original publication
Six-month outcomes of layperson-delivered, telephone-based behavioural activation and mindfulness interventions on loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: The HEAL-HOA Dual Randomised Controlled Trial.
Jiang D, Kwok JYY, Yeung DY et al.
Age Ageing · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40748314
- Record checked
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