Table 2.
Characteristics of included studies
| Author, year | Location | Type of study | Aim of study | Intervention setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bouwman et al., 2017 | The Netherlands | Quasi-experimental | To evaluate the effectiveness of an online adaptation of the friendship enrichment programme | Community |
| Collins and Benedict, 2006 | USA | Pre-experimental, pre-test, post-test | To evaluate the effects of a community-based educational program designed to promote health by enhancing older adults’ mastery while decreasing loneliness and stress | Community |
| Cox et al., 2007 | USA | Quasi-experimental | To increase the capacity of cognitively able elders to effectively manage their own care and optimize relationships with caregivers | Community, home and nursing home |
| Cresswell et al., 2012 | USA | RCT | To test the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulnes stress reduction program on loneliness among older adults | Community |
| Dickens et al., 2011 | UK | Prospective Controlled Trial | To evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based mentoring service for improving mental health, social engagement and physical health for socially isolated people | Community |
| Freidman et al., 2017 | USA | Pre and post intervention | To pilot test an intervention aimed at promoting psychological well-being among community living older adults | Community |
| Fokkema and Knipscheer, 2007 | Netherlands | Mixed method- qualitative and quantitative study | To evaluate the outcome of a digital intervention to reduce loneliness among chronically ill and disabled older adults | Home |
| Gracia and Moyle, 2010 | Australia | Qualitative | To assess perceptions of a self-help print-delivered intervention aimed at addressing loneliness in a retirement village community. | Retirement village |
| Greenwald and Beery, 2001 | USA | Longitudinal study design | To evaluate the outcome of an intervention designed to reduce isolation and improve quality of life | Community |
| Honigh-De Vlaming et al., 2013a | Netherlands | Qualitative study | To investigate how mass media communication materials, information meetings and psychological courses were received by elderly people at high risk of isolation | Community |
| Honigh-De Vlaming et al., 2013b | Netherlands | Quasi-experimental pre-test post-test | Evaluation of a two-year complex intervention to reduce loneliness in non-institutionalised elderly Dutch people | Home and group |
| Jones et al., 2015 | UK | Before and After | To evaluate the value and impact of internet use on loneliness among older people | Home and group setting |
| Kahlbaugh et al., 2011 | USA | RCT | To investigate the effect of Wii technology on physical activity, loneliness and mood. | Home |
| Kremers et al., 2006 | Netherlands | RCT | Effect of a short group intervention on self-management, well-being, social and emotional loneliness of single older women | Community |
| McAuley et al., 2000 | USA | RCT | To evaluate the effect of physical activity on subjective wellbeing (SWB) and the role played by physical activity participation and social support in changes in SWB over time | Community |
| Ollonqvist et al., 2008 | Finland | RCT | To determine the effectiveness of a new rehabilitation model on loneliness among frail older people | Rehabilitation centres |
| Pitkala et al., 2009 | Finland | RCT | To investigate the impact of group rehabilitation on use of health care services and mortality from older persons suffering from loneliness (same population as Routasalo et al., 2009) | Rehabilitation centre |
| Routasalo et al., 2009 | Finland | RCT | To evaluate the effect of a psychosocial group nursing intervention on older people’s feelings of loneliness, social activity and psychological well-being (same population as Routasalo) | Rehabilitation centre |
| Saito et al., 2012 | Japan | RCT | To investigate the effect of a social isolation prevention program on loneliness, depression and well-being of older adults in Japan | Community |
| Slegers et al., 2008 | Netherlands | RCT | To investigate the relationship between computer use and wellbeing (physical, social and emotional) and quality of life | Community and home |
| Stewart et al., 2001 | Canada | Pre-test, post-test | To evaluate the impact of support groups on widowed seniors’ loneliness/isolation. | Community |
| White et al., 2002 | USA | RCT | To evaluate the impact of providing internet training and access to older adults | Community and nursing home |