title: Effects of socially stimulating group intervention on lonely, older people's cognition: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Loneliness may predict impaired cognition among older people. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of socially stimulating group intervention on cognition among older individuals suffering from loneliness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred thirty-five participants (≥75 years) in seven day care centers in Finland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group intervention was based on the effects of closed-group dynamics and peer support. The three-month intervention was aimed to enhance interaction and friendships between participants and to socially stimulate them. Each group was facilitated by two specifically trained professionals. In addition to active discussions, the groups included three types of activities depending on the participants' interests: 1) therapeutic writing; 2) group exercise; and 3) art experiences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cognition was measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), and mental function was measured by the 15D measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention and control groups were similar at baseline with respect to their demographics, disease burden, depression, and cognition. The ADAS-Cog scale improved more in the intervention group than in the control group within the three-month period, with mean changes being -2.6 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.4 to -1.8) and -1.6 points (95% CI: -2.2 to -1.0), respectively. The dimension of mental function in the 15D showed significant improvement at 12 months in the intervention group (+0.048, 95% CI: +0.013 to +0.085) compared with the control group (-0.027, 95% CI: -0.063 to +0.010).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychosocial group intervention improved lonely older people's cognition.
authors.affiliation: Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Helsinki, Finland. kaisu.pitkala@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Kaisu H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Pitkala
authors.forename: Pirkko
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Routasalo
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kautiainen
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sintonen
authors.forename: Reijo S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tilvis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001155:Art Therapy; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D014956:Writing