TARGETING SOCIALLY ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS: THE INTERNET-BASED CONVERSATIONAL ENGAGEMENT TRIAL (I-CONECT)
2024
Targeting Socially Isolated Older Adults: The Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Trial (I-CONECT)
Sample size: 186
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Dodge Hiroko, Wu Chao-Yi, Chen Liu, Yu Kexin
Primary Institution: Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital
Hypothesis
Frequent social interactions via webcam/internet will improve cognitive function and emotional well-being in socially isolated older adults.
Conclusion
The study found that increased social interactions can help delay cognitive decline in some older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants in the experimental group increased the frequency of their social interactions over time compared to the control group.
- Individual Treatment Response analysis showed that participants in the top 30% of responders could delay cognitive decline by 6 months or more.
Takeaway
Talking to people more often on the internet can help older adults think better and feel happier.
Methodology
Participants engaged in semi-structured conversations 4 times a week for 6 months, while the control group received weekly phone check-ins.
Participant Demographics
Socially isolated older adults aged 75 and above.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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