TY - JOUR
T1 - A pilot randomized controlled trial of a group intervention via Zoom to relieve loneliness and depressive symptoms among older persons during the COVID-19 outbreak
AU - Shapira, Stav
AU - Yeshua-Katz, Daphna
AU - Cohn-Schwartz, Ella
AU - Aharonson-Daniel, Limor
AU - Sarid, Orly
AU - Clarfield, Avram Mark
N1 - Funding Information: This project was initiated through an exceptional presidential initiative of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev which enabled us to form our multidisciplinary research team, and supported us technically and financially through the development and implementation of this study ? and for that we are grateful. We would also like to thank Ganit Goren, Adi Vilenski, Shachar Michael and Milca Hanukoglo - our dedicated moderators. We would also like to thank Ganit Goren, Adi Vilenski, Shachar Michael and Milca Hanukoglo - our dedicated moderators, and to Ayellet Yogev, our research coordinator, for her valuable work and devotion to this project. This research was funded by an internal grant from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) Coronavirus Taskforce. Funding Information: This research was funded by an internal grant from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev ( BGU ) Coronavirus Taskforce. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)
PY - 2021/4/1
Y1 - 2021/4/1
N2 - While effective in reducing infections, social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak may carry ill effects on the mental health of older adults. The present study explored the efficacy of a short-term digital group intervention aimed at providing seniors with the tools and skills necessary for improving their coping ability during these stressful times. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults aged between 65 aged 90 (Mage = 72 years, SD = 5.63) were randomized to either an intervention group (n = 64) or a wait-list control group (n = 18). The intervention comprised online guided sessions in small groups in which behavioral and cognitive techniques were learned and practiced via the ZOOM videoconferencing platform. Loneliness and depression levels were measured pre- and post-participation. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the intervention group in terms of both loneliness and depressive symptoms, compared with the control group. Results of mixed effect models indicated a medium ameliorative effect on loneliness (d = 0.58), while that for depressive symptoms was only marginally significant and smaller in size (d = 0.43). Our intervention presents a relatively simple and effective technique that can be efficiently utilized to support older adults both during emergencies such as the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as in more routine times for older adults who live alone or reside in remote areas.
AB - While effective in reducing infections, social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak may carry ill effects on the mental health of older adults. The present study explored the efficacy of a short-term digital group intervention aimed at providing seniors with the tools and skills necessary for improving their coping ability during these stressful times. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults aged between 65 aged 90 (Mage = 72 years, SD = 5.63) were randomized to either an intervention group (n = 64) or a wait-list control group (n = 18). The intervention comprised online guided sessions in small groups in which behavioral and cognitive techniques were learned and practiced via the ZOOM videoconferencing platform. Loneliness and depression levels were measured pre- and post-participation. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the intervention group in terms of both loneliness and depressive symptoms, compared with the control group. Results of mixed effect models indicated a medium ameliorative effect on loneliness (d = 0.58), while that for depressive symptoms was only marginally significant and smaller in size (d = 0.43). Our intervention presents a relatively simple and effective technique that can be efficiently utilized to support older adults both during emergencies such as the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as in more routine times for older adults who live alone or reside in remote areas.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Cognitive-behavioral skills
KW - Digital group intervention
KW - Mental health effects
KW - Older adults
KW - Randomized controlled trial
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100014502&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100368
DO - 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100368
M3 - Article
C2 - 33527072
SN - 2214-7829
VL - 24
JO - Internet Interventions
JF - Internet Interventions
M1 - 100368
ER -