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Cited by 183Health disparities and outcomesAging, Health, and DisabilityAging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 50 of the 50 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Effects of Psychosocial Group Rehabilitation on Health, Use of Health Care Services, and Mortality of Older Persons Suffering From Loneliness: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Pitkala, K. H., Routasalo, P., Kautiainen, H., Tilvis, R. S.·2009·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
DOI 10.1093/gerona/glp011
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Loneliness is a distressing feeling of a lack of satisfying human relationships. It is associated with poor quality of life, impaired health, and increased mortality among older individuals. The study aim was to determine the effects of new psychosocial group rehabilitation on the subjective health, use and costs of health services, and mortality of lonely older individuals. METHODS: This randomized, controlled trial was performed in seven day care centers. A total of 235 older people (>74 years) suffering from loneliness participated. Intervention was implemented in 15 groups (each with 7-8 participants and 2 professional group leaders) meeting for 3 months altogether 12 times. Group intervention aimed to empower elderly people, and to promote their peer support and social integration. Intervention was based on the effects of closed-group dynamics. The groups had the following activities according to the participants' interests: (a) therapeutic writing and group psychotherapy, (b) group exercise and discussions, and (c) art activities. Group leaders received thorough training and tutoring. Subjective health, use and costs of health services, and mortality were measured. RESULTS: At 2 years, survival was 97% in the intervention group (95% confidence interval [CI], 91-99) and 90% in the control group (95% CI, 85-95) (p = .047). The intervention group showed a significant improvement in subjective health, thus resulting in significantly lower health care costs during the follow-up: the difference between the groups was -943 euro/person per y (95% CI -1955 to -127; p = .039). CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial group rehabilitation was associated with lower mortality and less use of health services.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Ellaway, 1999, The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 49, 363
  2. Geller, 1999, The Journal of family practice, 48, 801
  3. 1985, Social science & medicine, 58, 683
  4. 1994, Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 49, S3

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Metadata

Authors
Pitkala, K. H., Routasalo, P., Kautiainen, H., & Tilvis, R. S.
Affiliations
  • Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
  • Reumasäätiön sairaala (FI)
ORCID
Kautiainen, H.
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2009-02-17
Volume
64A
Issue
7
Pages
792-800
ISSN
  • 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-535X
DOI
10.1093/gerona/glp011
OpenAlex
W2098046307
Cited by
183
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI
7.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
Keywords
loneliness, older adults, psychosocial group intervention, group therapy, social integration, peer support, mortality, health care utilization, health care costs, self-rated health, daycare centers, therapeutic writing, art activities, group exercise
MeSH terms
Aged, Aging, Female, Finland, Health Services for the Aged, Health Status, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Male, Psychotherapy, Group, Risk Factors, Survival Analysis, Health Care Costs

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