Assessing a facilitated social network intervention for health outcomes in lonely and socially isolated people: the pragmatic, cluster-randomized PALS trial - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #Loneliness
- #Social Isolation
- #Pragmatic RCT
- The PALS trial was a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial assessing a facilitated social network intervention for loneliness and social isolation.
- The intervention involved participants mapping their social networks and completing a questionnaire to connect with local resources, delivered by trained facilitators.
- A total of 469 adults were recruited from community-based organizations, with no clinically meaningful effect found on primary (SF-12 mental health) or secondary outcomes.
- The economic evaluation showed no significant difference in QALYs and did not demonstrate cost-effectiveness, despite low delivery costs.
- Future interventions may require a multi-step approach including tailored psychological, relational, and social components, and consideration of community asset availability.