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 .
Health promotion in older Chinese: a 12-month cluster randomized controlled trial of pedometry and "peer support".
PURPOSE Aging , in conjunction with decreasing physical activity , is associated with a range of health problems . Simple , low-maintenance , population -based means of promoting activity to counteract the age-associated decline are required . We therefore assessed the effect of pedometry and buddy support to increase physical activity . METHODS We undertook a clustered r and omized trial ( HKCTR-346 ) of 24 community centers involving 399 older Chinese participants ( ≥ 60 yr ) . Centers were r and omly allocated to 1 ) pedometry and buddy , 2 ) pedometry and no buddy , 3 ) no pedometry and buddy , and 4 ) no pedometry and no buddy with a 2 × 2 factorial design . The trial simultaneously tested the individual and combined effects of the interventions . The intervention groups also received monthly organized group activities to provide encouragement and support . Outcome measures were assessed at 6 and 12 months , including physical fitness and activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors ( anthropometry and blood pressure ) . RESULTS From the 24 centers , 356 volunteers ( 89.2 % ) completed the study . Those receiving the interventions had higher mean physical activity levels at 12 months of 1820 ( 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) = 1360 - 2290 ) and 1260 ( 95 % CI = 780 - 1740 ) MET·min·wk(-1 ) , respectively relative to the decrease in the control groups . The buddy peer support intervention  significantly improved mean aerobic fitness ( 12 % [ 95 % CI = 4%-21 % ] ) and reduced both body fat ( -0.6 % [ 95 % CI = -1.1 % to 0.0 % ] ) and time to complete the 2.5-m get-up- and -go test ( -0.27 [ 95 % CI = -0.53 to -0.01 ] s ) . No other improvements in the cardiovascular disease risk factors were observed . The combination of motivational tools was no better than the individual interventions . CONCLUSIONS Both motivational interventions increased physical activity levels , and the buddy style improved fitness . These tools could be useful adjuncts in the prevention of obesity and age-related complications
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 .