Mind-Body Intervention for Older Adults in Long-term Care

NCT06932731 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: UW 25-016
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Loneliness is a global health issue, particularly affecting the physical and mental health of older adults residing in long term care. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated isolation in these settings, calling for an urgent attention for finding an effective intervention to alleviate loneliness among long term care residents. Mind-body interventions (MBIs) present as a potentially promising approach aimed at reducing loneliness and mental wellbeing. This study aims to examine the effect of a nurse-led MBI compared to a befriending intervention on loneliness, quality of life, depression and level of mindfulness among older adults in long term care. The primary outcome is loneliness while secondary outcome is quality of life, depression and level of mindfulness.

Conditions

Long Term Care Facility

Keywords

loneliness; mindfulness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Loneliness

  For Mind-Body Intervention group and Befriending Intervention group, measured by UCLA 8-item Loneliness Scale is the shortened version of UCLA Loneliness Scale. The shortened scale consists of 8 questions with 4-point Likert scale ranged from 'never' to 'often'. The higher the score, the higher the level of perceived loneliness. Item 3 and Item 5 are reversely scored. Higher the score, the higher loneliness level.

  Baselines , 5 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Level of mindfulness

  Baselines , 5 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline

• Depression

  Baseline, 5 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline

• Health-related quality of life

  Baseline , 5 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline

Study Arms (2)

Mind-Body Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The entire intervention will be conducted in a group setting for 5 sessions. Each session 45 to 60 minutes weekly. Intervention is led by a registered nurse. Participants will be instructed to perform mind-body intervention during session and encouraged to have home practice between the next session.

Behavioral: Mind-body Intervention

Befriending Intervention Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will receive befriending intervention provided by volunteers with health care background. Volunteers are either studying or graduated from a health science related programme. Participants will meet volunteers each week in a group setting for 5 sessions. Each session 45 to 60 minutes.

Behavioral: Befriending Intervention

Interventions

Mind-body Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The Mind-Body Intervention group designed to included several elements with mind and body involvement such as mindful breathing, body scan, stretching, mindful movement as well as adapting mindful practice in their routine. Mind-Body Intervention group will join the activities in a group setting for 5 sessions. Each session 45 to 60 minutes. Intervention is led by a registered nurse. Each session (except for the first session) will start by sharing of practice from the past week. Followed by mind-body practices. Before the end of session, a group discussion on the practice of that day and reflection will be done.

Mind-Body Intervention Group

Befriending Intervention BEHAVIORAL

In this group, volunteer will spend time with the participants, engaging in conversation and join their routine activities by the time of visit or other scheduled activities in the institution (such as arts and crafts, playing board games or reminiscing activities).

Befriending Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Long-term care residents aged 60 or above
• Communicable in Cantonese/Chinese
• Mentally competent (Abbreviated Mental Test score \>6)
• Could read, write and understand Chinese language
• Able to provide written consent

You may not qualify if:

• Have regular practice of mindfulness once a week or more during the past 6 months
• Have any other contraindication or severe comorbidity that may limit their full participation (e.g. acute psychiatric conditions, severe hearing, vision impairment, or severe medical condition etc).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (2)

School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

NOT YET RECRUITING

School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Jojo Yan Yan Kwok, PhD

  The University of Hong Kong

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Cheuk Yan Szeto, MScN

CONTACT

+85236536780; jodies@connect.hku.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2025
• First Posted: April 17, 2025
• Study Start: April 17, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (2)