Mind-Body Intervention for Older Adults in Long-term Care

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Long Term Care Facility

• Registration Number: NCT06932731
• Lead Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong

Brief Summary

Loneliness is a global health issue, particularly affecting the physical and mental health of older adults residing in long term care. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated isolation in these settings, calling for an urgent attention for finding an effective intervention to alleviate loneliness among long term care residents. Mind-body interventions (MBIs) present as a potentially promising approach aimed at reducing loneliness and mental wellbeing. This study aims to examine the effect of a nurse-led MBI compared to a befriending intervention on loneliness, quality of life, depression and level of mindfulness among older adults in long term care. The primary outcome is loneliness while secondary outcome is quality of life, depression and level of mindfulness.

Detailed Description

Loneliness is becoming a global health threat particularly in older population due to natural life events such as illness, death of a spouse and a lack of friends In Hong Kong, it has been reported the 58.1% of the older people experienced a high level of loneliness. Loneliness can have a devastating impact on mental and physical health by increasing the risk of dementia, depression, anxiety, stroke, myocardial infarction and poor quality of sleep.The associated mortality rate can be as high as 26% which is comparable to the harm of prime health dangers like alcohol and cigarette. The problem is particularly pressing for the older adults residing in long term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outbreaks occurred in more than 90% of long-term care facility in Hong Kong. Resulting in further isolation in their own facilities or community isolation facilities. Preventing institutionalized older adults from being trapped in loneliness is of key importance. A promotion of intervention that is driven by theoretical framework and suitable for long-term care setting is required.

Mind-body practice has been extensively studied in different population such as chronic pain, heart disease, respiratory disease and community dwelling older adults. However, there is little evidence of wellbeing and loneliness reduction in mind-body practice among long term care older adults. This study will adopt befriending intervention as the control group. As befriending intervention is common in Hong Kong by volunteer visiting.

This study describes a randomised controlled trial designed to compare the effectiveness of a nurse-led MBI versus befriending intervention for LTC residents to reduce loneliness and enhance wellbeing.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Study Start: 2025-04
• Study First Submitted: 2025-04-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-04-10
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-23
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-27
• Primary Completion: 2027-04
• Study Completion: 2027-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 100

Inclusion Criteria

• Long-term care residents aged 60 or above
• Communicable in Cantonese/Chinese
• Mentally competent (Abbreviated Mental Test score >6)
• Could read, write and understand Chinese language
• Able to provide written consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Have regular practice of mindfulness once a week or more during the past 6 months
• Have any other contraindication or severe comorbidity that may limit their full participation (e.g. acute psychiatric conditions, severe hearing, vision impairment, or severe medical condition etc).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Loneliness	Baselines and 5 weeks	For Mind-Body Intervention group and Befriending Intervention group, measured by UCLA 8-item Loneliness Scale is the shortened version of UCLA Loneliness Scale. The shortened scale consists of 8 questions with 4-point Likert scale ranged from 'never' to 'often'. The higher the score, the higher the level of perceived loneliness. Item 3 and Item 5 are reversely scored. Higher the score, the higher loneliness level.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Level of mindfulness	Baselines and 5 weeks	For Mind-Body Intervention group and Befriending Intervention group, measured by Multidimentional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). It is a 32 items state-trait self reported questionnaires and is categorized into eight scales in 6 point Likert scale from 0 (never ) to 5 (always). A higher score indicates a more appraised interoceptive awareness and higher level of mindfulness.
Depression	Baseline and 5 weeks	For Mind-Body Intervention group and Befriending Intervention group, measured by Geriatric Depression Scale 4 items (GDS-4) is a brief version of Geriatric Depression Scale 30 items (GDS-30). GDS-4 consists of 4 items from the original items of GDS-30. Total scores more than 2 is considered at risk of depression.
Health-related quality of life	Baseline and 5 weeks	For Mind-Body Intervention group and Befriending Intervention group, measured by World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5 scale). It is a five items 6-point Likert-type scale from 0 (at no time) to 5 (all of the time). It focuses on positive emotions that included 5 items: "I have felt cheerful and in good spirits", "I have felt calm and relaxed", "I have felt cheerful and in good spirits", "I woke up feeling fresh and rested" and "I have felt active and vigorous". The participants are asked how well each of the items applied to them in the past two weeks. The higher the score, the better the mental wellbeing.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong