Reducing Loneliness Among Older Adults Through Enhancing Positive Affect

NCT07021872 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2023-2024-0179
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 276
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two psychosocial interventions-Tele-Positive Affect (Tele-PA) and Tele-Behavioral Activation (Tele-BA)-compared to active control (telephone-delivered friendly visit, Tele-FV) in reducing loneliness among older adults in Hong Kong.

Conditions

Loneliness

Keywords

Loneliness; Older Adults; Positive Affect; Behavioral Activation; Randomized Controlled Trials

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Loneliness measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale

  The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a reliable self-assessment tool designed to evaluate feelings of loneliness. Possible scores range from 1 (never) to 4 (always).

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Loneliness measured by De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale

  The De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale is a validated, self-reported instrument assessing loneliness. Possible scores range from 1 (yes) to 3 (no).

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Real-time Experiences on Ecological Momentary Assessment

  Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a research method used to collect data in real-time and in the participants' natural environments. It measures momentary loneliness, momentary actual affect examined by the short version of the AVI scale, current and expected locations (e.g., nature, home, public places), as well as details about their current and expected social interactions, including the type (i.e., alone, with spouse, family members), features (e.g., supportiveness, closeness, pleasantness, meaningfulness), and number (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more than 5). Participants will also report on their current and expected activities, specifying the type (e.g., physical activity, working, cognitive activities) and characteristics (e.g., pleasantness, meaningfulness) of these activities.

  Baseline and 2-week

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Psychological Well-being on 6-point Psychological Well-being Scale

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Perceived Stress on 5-point Chinese Version of the Perceived Stress Scale

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Symptoms of Depression on 4-point Chinese Version of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Symptoms of Anxiety on 4-point Chinese Version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Cognitive Functioning on the Hong Kong Version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

Other Outcomes (7)

• Affective Experience over the Past Week on 30-item Affect Valuation Index (actual affect) (AVI)

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Social Network Characteristics on 10-point Social Network Characteristics Scale

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

• Meaning of Life on 7-point Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)

  Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month

Study Arms (3)

Positive Affect

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the Positive Affect group will receive the Tele-PA Intervention to test the effects of the intervention in reducing loneliness among older adults.

Behavioral: Tele-Positive Affect Intervention

Behavioral Activation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the Behavioral Activation group will receive the Tele-BA Intervention to test the effects of the intervention in reducing loneliness among older adults.

Behavioral: Tele-Behavioral Activation Intervention

Friendly Visit

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the Friendly Visit group will receive the Tele-FV Intervention as an active control.

Behavioral: Tele-Friendly Visit

Interventions

Tele-Positive Affect Intervention BEHAVIORAL

A 4-week intervention consisting of eight skills aimed at enhancing positive affect, delivered via telephone by trained facilitators. Participants will learn skills such as gratitude, mindfulness, and positive reappraisal, with sessions held twice a week.

Positive Affect

Tele-Behavioral Activation Intervention BEHAVIORAL

A 4-week intervention designed to promote engagement in meaningful activities, delivered through telephone by trained facilitators. The intervention will include behavior monitoring, activity planning, and social skills enhancement, with sessions held twice a week.

Behavioral Activation

Tele-Friendly Visit BEHAVIORAL

An active control condition consisting of telephone-delivered friendly visits. Participants will engage in social conversation and activities to provide companionship without any specific skills training aimed at reducing loneliness. The intervention will be held within 4-week.

Friendly Visit

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• aged 65 years or older
• proficiency in Cantonese (over telephone)
• experiencing loneliness (defined as a score of ≥ 6 on the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale)

You may not qualify if:

• cognitive impairments
• psychiatric disorders, learning disabilities, or active suicidal ideation
• currently participating in other psychotherapy or psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing well-being

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Education University of Hong Kong: lead
• University of Texas at Austin: collaborator
• City University of Hong Kong: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

The Education University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

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Study Officials

• Da Jiang, PhD

  The Education University of Hong Kong

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Da Jiang, PhD

CONTACT

852 2948 8659; djiang@eduhk.hk

Xinyuan Peng, MSc

CONTACT

85229487138; s1147990@s.eduhk.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: A three-armed randomized controlled trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 6, 2025
• First Posted: June 15, 2025
• Study Start: June 30, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Last Updated: July 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)