According to sufficiently reported outcomes , social capital interventions showed mixed effects on quality of life , well-being and self-perceived health and were generally ineffective on loneliness , mood and mortality .
Conclusions Our review highlights the lack of evidence and the diversity among trials , while supporting the potential of social capital interventions to reach comprehensive health effects in older adults
Background Observational studies show that social capital is a protective health factor .
Therefore , we aim to assess the currently unclear health impact of social capital interventions targeting older adults .
Effects of psychosocial group rehabilitation on social functioning, loneliness and well-being of lonely, older people: randomized controlled trial.
AIM This paper is a report of a study to explore the effects of psychosocial group nursing intervention on older people 's feelings of loneliness , social activity and psychological well-being . BACKGROUND Older people 's loneliness is associated with low quality of life , and impaired health , increased use of health and social services and increased mortality . Previous intervention studies have achieved quite modest results . METHOD A r and omized controlled trial was conducted between 2003 and 2006 using a group intervention aim ed at empowering older people , and promoting peer support and social integration .  A total of 235 people ( > 74 years ) suffering from loneliness met 12 times with professional leaders in groups . The UCLA Loneliness Scale and Lubben 's Social Network Scale were used at entry , after 3 and 6 months . Psychological well-being was charted using a six-dimensional question naire at baseline and 12 months later . FINDINGS A statistically significantly larger proportion of intervention group participants had found new friends during the follow-up year ( 45 % vs. 32 % , P = 0.048 ) , and 40 % of intervention group participants continued their group meetings for 1 year . However , no differences were found in loneliness or social networks between the groups . Psychological well-being score improved statistically significantly in the intervention groups [ + 0.11 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : + 0.04 to + 0.13 ] , compared with the controls ( + 0.01 , 95 % CI : -0.05 to + 0.07 , P = 0.045 ) . Feeling needed was statistically significantly more common in the intervention groups ( 66 % ) than in controls ( 49 % , P = 0.019 ) . CONCLUSION New sensitive measurements of loneliness and social isolation are needed to measure fluctuations in feelings of loneliness and in social isolation
According to sufficiently reported outcomes , social capital interventions showed mixed effects on quality of life , well-being and self-perceived health and were generally ineffective on loneliness , mood and mortality .
Conclusions Our review highlights the lack of evidence and the diversity among trials , while supporting the potential of social capital interventions to reach comprehensive health effects in older adults
Background Observational studies show that social capital is a protective health factor .
Therefore , we aim to assess the currently unclear health impact of social capital interventions targeting older adults .