The Role of Nurses in Video-Based Communication to Reduce Loneliness in Intensive Care Unit Patients

NCT07072078 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: NURS-202506.01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of video-based communication in reducing loneliness among intensive care unit (ICU) patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. ICU patients often experience psychological distress, particularly loneliness, due to restricted family visits and physical isolation. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group is used, involving 36 participants who are randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group receives structured video-based communication with family members for three consecutive days, with each session lasting between 5 to 20 minutes. Nurses facilitate the intervention by ensuring patient safety, providing emotional support, and assisting with the communication process. The control group receives standard ICU care without the communication intervention. Loneliness levels are assessed using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) before and after the intervention.

Conditions

Loneliness During COVID-19; Loneliness

Keywords

Loneliness; Intensive Care Unit; Video-based Communication

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Loneliness Score (De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale)

  This outcome measures the change in loneliness among ICU patients before and after the intervention, using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS). The scale assesses both emotional and social loneliness with 11 items, validated in Indonesian. Higher scores indicate greater loneliness. The score is recorded at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 3 days of intervention (post-test). The difference in mean scores is used to assess effectiveness.

  Baseline (Day 1) to Post-Intervention (Day 3)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group - Video-based Communication

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received structured video-based communication with their family members using WhatsApp. Each session lasted 5-20 minutes and was conducted once daily for three consecutive days. The communication was facilitated by a nurse and included positive messages, emotional support, and discussion of future plans. The aim was to reduce emotional and social loneliness in ICU patients.

Behavioral: Video-based Communication

Control Group - Standard ICU Care

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group received standard ICU care without any video-based communication intervention. They continued with routine treatment and monitoring in the ICU setting for the duration of the study period. This group was used as a comparison to assess the impact of video-based communication on loneliness levels.

Interventions

Video-based Communication BEHAVIORAL

Participants received structured video-based communication sessions with their family members using the WhatsApp platform. The intervention was delivered once daily for three consecutive days, with each session lasting between 5 and 20 minutes. Communication was guided to include emotional support, positive conversations, and future-oriented discussion. The sessions were facilitated by nurses who ensured clinical stability, technical setup, and emotional readiness of the patient. This intervention aimed to reduce emotional and social loneliness among ICU patients and was integrated into standard intensive care routines without disrupting medical care.

Intervention Group - Video-based Communication

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)
• Patients aged over 18 years with a minimum of 72 hours of care in the ICU
• Patients who are able to understand and communicate in the Indonesian language

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with medical conditions such as decreased consciousness, total blindness, or severe neurological disorders
• Patients with a history of psychiatric disorders
• Drop Out:
• Patients who are discharged from the ICU of Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital during the study period will be considered drop-outs
• Patients whose health deteriorates to the extent that they are unable to continue participation in the study
• Patients who die during the study period
• Patients who are transferred from the ICU to general inpatient wards

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitas Padjadjaran: lead

Study Sites (1)

dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital

Bandung, West Java, 40161, Indonesia

Location

Study Officials

• Cecep Eli Kosasih, S.Kp., MNS., Ph.D

  Universitas Padjadjaran

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Ristina Mirwanti, S.Kep., Ners., M.Kep.

  Universitas Padjadjaran

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This was an open-label study. No parties were masked. All participants, care providers, and investigators were aware of the group assignments and interventions being administered.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study used a parallel design with two groups: an intervention group and a control group. A total of 36 ICU patients were randomly assigned to each group (18 participants per group). The intervention group received video-based communication with family members once daily for three consecutive days, with each session lasting 5 to 20 minutes. The control group received standard ICU care without the intervention. Loneliness was measured in both groups using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale before and after the intervention. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of video-based communication in reducing emotional and social loneliness among ICU patients.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 29, 2025
• First Posted: July 18, 2025
• Study Start: December 24, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 24, 2025
• Study Completion: January 24, 2025
• Last Updated: July 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ID (1)