Virtual, Inclusive, Together, Active (VITA): An Innovative App-based Intervention to Promote Social Connectedness and Well-being in Older Adults
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 100
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Change from baseline in social connectedness at post-Intervention and 2-Month follow-Up
研究概览
简要总结
This study evaluates the impact of a group-based intervention designed to promote social connectedness and enhance psychological well-being among older adults. The intervention lasts four months and is supported by a dedicated mobile application that helps participants discover local social activities, connect with peers who share similar interests, and stay informed about community events, with the aim of supporting (not replacing) in-person interactions. This randomized controlled trial assigns participants either to a treatment group, which receives digital literacy training, access to the app, and structured support from the research team to facilitate social engagement within their local community, or to a waitlist control group, which receives access to the app only after the study period. Assessments are conducted at baseline, post-intervention (4 months), and at a 2-month follow-up. The study evaluates changes in social connectedness, loneliness, psychological well-being, and technology use, using a mixed-methods approach combining self-report questionnaires, app-usage data, and qualitative feedback.
详细描述
Rationale:
The study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a digitally supported, community-based intervention aimed at promoting social connectedness and reducing loneliness and social isolation among older adults, addressing a growing public health concern in ageing populations worldwide. As literature highlights, as individuals move into later life, they often experience a series of life transitions and changes - such as retirement, bereavement, declining physical health, and changes in living arrangements; that can progressively limit opportunities for social interaction and participation in community life. These changes can weaken existing relationships and reduce the formation of new social ties, leading to decreased social engagement and an increased risk of loneliness. Older age is therefore often associated with an increased risk of social isolation due to retirement, loss of social roles, reduced mobility, and shrinking social networks. Moreover, social isolation and loneliness in later life have been consistently linked to poorer mental and physical health outcomes, including depression, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. At the same time, older adults often face barriers to accessing digital tools that could support social participation, such as limited digital literacy and low confidence in the use of technology. The study therefore seeks to address these challenges by combining digital literacy training, access to a user-friendly mobile application, and structured support for in-person social engagement.
Study design and outcome measures:
The study begins with a baseline assessment (T0), when participants complete a battery of questionnaires collecting demographic information (e.g., age, gender, education level, living situation) and baseline data on psychosocial well-being and technology use. Measures include self-report instruments assessing:
- Demographic information - 10 questions
- Health status questions - 9 questions
- Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB)- 18 items.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 - 7 items.
- Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)- 5- 5 items.
- Social life questions - 4 questions
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale 3 - 3 items.
- Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) - 12 items.
- Technology use questions - 4 questions
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 65 Years 至 —（Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Age 65 years or older at the time of enrollment.
- •Living independently in the community (not in long-term care facilities or nursing homes).
- •Provision of written informed consent.
排除标准
- •Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders
- •Significant cognitive or physical impairment that prevents comprehension of study procedures or use of the mobile application.
- •Residence in assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, or other long-term care institutions.
研究组 & 干预措施
Control Group / Waiting-list
Participants in this group continue with their usual social and community activities and do not receive immediate access to the VITA mobile application. They do not participate in digital literacy training sessions or receive any facilitation of social connections from the research team during the 4-month intervention period. Assessments are conducted at the same time points as the intervention group: baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up, to allow for direct comparisons between groups. After the study period concludes, participants in this wait-list control group are provided access to the VITA app, enabling them to use the platform and benefit from its features, including discovering local social opportunities and connecting with peers, if they wish. This design ensures that all participants eventually have the opportunity to engage with the intervention while maintaining the integrity of the controlled comparison.
Blended VITA Intervention (hybrid app-based and in-person delivery)
Participants receive structured digital literacy training on the use of the Virtual, Inclusive, Together, Active (VITA) mobile application and have full access to the app during the 4-month intervention period. Through the app, they can discover social opportunities in their neighborhoods offered by local organizations and community groups, and they can also create and share social opportunities with other participants in the treatment group. The research team provides ongoing support by facilitating social connections among participants who live nearby and share similar interests, and by offering guidance on using the app effectively. The intervention promotes active participation in local community activities, peer interactions, and engagement with events in the surrounding community. Assessments are conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up.
干预措施: Blended VITA intervention (hybrid app-based and in-person social engagement program) (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Change from baseline in social connectedness at post-Intervention and 2-Month follow-Up
时间窗: Baseline (T0), post-intervention at 4 months (T1), and 2-month follow-up (T2)
This outcome evaluates changes in participants' social connectedness and interactions resulting from the Virtual, Inclusive, Together, Active (VITA) intervention. Social connectedness is measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), a 12-item self-report instrument assessing perceived support from family, friends, and significant others. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = very strongly disagree to 7 = very strongly agree). Total scores range from 12 to 84, with higher scores indicating greater perceived social support (better outcome). Additional indicators include self-reported participation in community activities and frequency of peer interactions. These complementary measures provide contextual information on changes in social participation and interaction patterns over time.
Change from baseline in social engagement frequency
时间窗: Baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1, 4 months), and 2-month follow-up (T2)
This outcome assesses changes in the frequency and extent of participants' social engagement over the course of the intervention. Social engagement is measured using self-reported questionnaires that capture the number and regularity of interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and participation in community or group activities. This measure allows evaluation of whether the VITA app-based intervention, along with facilitated social connections, increases older adults' active involvement in social and community life, supporting improved social integration, peer interaction, and overall well-being.
次要结局
- Change from baseline in perceived loneliness as measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale 3-Item(Baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1, 4 months), and 2-month follow-up (T2))
- Change from baseline in psychological well-being as measured by the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale(Baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1, 4 months), and 2-month follow-up (T2))
- Change from baseline in self-perceived digital competence(Baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1, 4 months), and 2-month follow-up (T2))