Effects of psychosocial interventions on loneliness amongst long-term care residents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Loneliness significantly affects the physical and mental health of older adults, particularly those in long-term care settings. Despite the high prevalence of loneliness, comprehensive reviews on psychosocial interventions targeting loneliness in these populations are scarce.

Aims To evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions in reducing loneliness among long-term care residents.

Study Design A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods We conducted a comprehensive search across five databases—CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, PsychINFO and The Cochrane Library—from inception to 14 February 2025. The inclusion criteria encompassed randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies and pilot studies published in English that assessed psychosocial interventions for loneliness amongst long-term care residents. The Effective Public Health Practice Project framework was utilised for the quality assessment.

Results A total of 19 studies with 1646 participants were included. Results indicated that psychosocial interventions significantly reduced loneliness in long-term care residents. The interventions were categorised into lifestyle and leisure activities, psychological interventions, social support interventions and animal/robot-assisted interventions. Subgroup analyses revealed significant effects for lifestyle and leisure activities, group-based interventions, face-to-face delivery and interventions that less than 8 weeks.

Conclusion Psychosocial interventions demonstrated a large effect size in reducing loneliness amongst long-term care residents. Interventions that incorporated lifestyle and leisure activities with a physical activity component, delivered face-to-face in group settings and lasted for less than 8 weeks may be particularly effective.

Implication of Practice This review provides updated evidence that psychosocial interventions could improve loneliness amongst residents in long-term care settings. Consequently, it offers solid information to inform policy changes and intervention strategies.

Reporting Method The researching results were reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis checklist.

No Patient or Publication Contribution This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis, and such details do not apply to our work.

Trial Registration: This protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (ID: CRD42024534009)