NCT07288671

Nostalgia Intervention on Alleviating Loneliness Amongst Older Adults

Effects of a Nostalgia Intervention on Alleviating Loneliness Amongst Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Cluster-randomised Waitlist-controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 294 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The proposed study will utilise a two-arm, cluster-randomised, waitlist-controlled trial to (1) examine the effects of the nostalgia intervention on loneliness, negative emotions, social connectedness, meaning in life and nostalgia amongst community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong; (2) investigate whether the effect of the nostalgia intervention on loneliness is mediated by improvements in negative emotions, social connectedness and meaning in life; and (3) explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults participating in the nostalgia interventions, focusing on their views regarding the impact of the intervention on their loneliness.

Detailed description

A convenience sample of 294 older adults from six participating community centres, with 49 participants from each centre. Eligible older adults will be randomly assigned to either a waitlist control group (n = 147) or an intervention group (n = 147). Both groups will receive standard community support services, whilst the intervention group will also participate in five weekly face-to-face nostalgia sessions (approximately 90 min each) in a group format. Additionally, a purposive subsample of 30 participants from the intervention group will be invited for focus group interviews. The primary outcome (loneliness) and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), 3 months post-intervention (T2) and 6 months post-intervention (T3) using validated questionnaires. The investigators will analyse the quantitative data using a generalised estimating equation model with intention-to-treat and path analyses. The qualitative data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings of this proposed study will inform healthcare professionals and policymakers, offering practical strategies to combat loneliness in this vulnerable group.

Conditions

• Loneliness

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Nostalgia intervention	Participants in the intervention group will receive the face-to-face nostalgia intervention weekly for 5 weeks (each session lasting approximately 90 minutes), with each group consisting of 5-8 older adults. The intervention consists of 5 sessions: Session 1 (understanding nostalgia and its benefits), Session 2-4 (music/ photos/ meaningful objects and nostalgia), Session 5 (reaffirming the benefits of nostalgia).

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-09-01
• Primary completion: 2028-06-30
• Completion: 2028-12-31
• First posted: 2025-12-17
• Last updated: 2025-12-23