'Putting Life in Years' (PLINY) telephone friendship groups research study: pilot randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loneliness in older people is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We undertook a parallel-group randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of telephone befriending for the maintenance of HRQoL in older people. An internal pilot tested the feasibility of the trial and intervention.

Methods

Participants aged >74 years, with good cognitive function, living independently in one UK city were recruited through general practices and other sources, then randomised to: (1) 6 weeks of short one-to-one telephone calls, followed by 12 weeks of group telephone calls with up to six participants, led by a trained volunteer facilitator; or (2) a control group. The main trial required the recruitment of 248 participant

SUBMITTER: Mountain GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4022155 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature