title: Interventions for alleviating loneliness among older persons: a critical review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Loneliness is common among older persons and has been associated with health and mental health risks. This systematic review examines the utility of loneliness interventions among older persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four intervention studies were used. STUDY INCLUSION CRITERIA: The study was conducted between 1996 and 2011, included a sample of older adults, implemented an intervention affecting loneliness or identified a situation that directly affected loneliness, included in its outcome measures the effects of the intervention or situation on loneliness levels or on loneliness-related measures (e.g., social interaction), and included in its analysis pretest-posttest comparisons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were accessed using the databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, AgeLine, PsycBOOKS, and Google Scholar for the years 1996-2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interventions were classified based on population, format, and content and were evaluated for quality of design and efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies were effective in reducing loneliness according to the review criteria, and 15 were evaluated as potentially effective. The findings suggest that it is possible to reduce loneliness by using educational interventions focused on social networks maintenance and enhancement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple approaches show promise, although flawed design often prevents proper evaluation of efficacy. The value of specific therapy techniques in reducing loneliness is highlighted and warrants a wider investigation. Studies of special populations, such as the cognitively impaired, are also needed.
authors.forename: Jiska
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen-Mansfield
authors.forename: Rotem
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perach
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D012934:Social Isolation
keywords: Health focus: social health, spiritual health; Intervention; Loneliness; Manuscript format: literature review; Older Persons; Outcome measure: loneliness, social support; Research purpose: descriptive; Review; Setting: community and nursing homes; Social Isolation; Strategy: education, skill building/behavior change; Study design: content analysis; Target population age: seniors