Beyond the Basics: Effects of the Eden Alternative Model on Quality of Life Issues

Nineteen out of 23 (83%) participatory interventions were observed to have beneficial effects on at least one outcome compared with only four out of nine (44%) non-participatory interventions.

“Nineteen out of the 23 (83%) participatory interventions were observed to have beneficial effects on at least one outcome [13,52-56,60,63,65-70,73-76,81] compared with only four out of nine (44%) non-participatory interventions [59,71,78,79].”

In the service provision study, there appeared to be large between-group differences in outcome scores at baseline, with a higher proportion of the control group being classified as lonely, helpless and bored.

“Contrary to the authors' claims, there appeared to be large between-group differences in outcome scores at baseline, with a higher proportion of the control group being classified as lonely, helpless and bored.”

Participants in the same service provision intervention reported no reduction in loneliness at one-year follow-up.

“Study participants reported reduced helplessness and boredom, but no reduction in loneliness at the one-year follow-up.”

Participants in the alternative nursing home care with daily contact with children, pets and plants reported reduced helplessness and boredom at one-year follow-up.

“Study participants reported reduced helplessness and boredom, but no reduction in loneliness at the one-year follow-up.”

Thirteen out of 15 (87%) interventions categorised as having a theoretical basis reported beneficial effects on at least one outcome domain compared with 10 out of 17 (59%) studies categorised as having no theoretical basis.

“Thirteen out of 15 (87%) interventions categorised as having a theoretical basis reported beneficial effects on at least one outcome domain [13,53-55,59,65,67-69,73-75,81] compared with 10/17 (59%) studies categorised as having no theoretical basis [52,56,60,63,66,70,71,76,78,79].”

It is not clear whether the analyses in the service provision study were adjusted for the apparent baseline differences, meaning that the results should be interpreted cautiously.

“It is not clear whether the analyses were adjusted for the apparent baseline differences, meaning that the results should be interpreted cautiously.”

Nine out of 11 (82%) interventions delivered by health and social care professionals reported at least one beneficial effect.

“compared with nine out of 11 (82%) interventions delivered by health and social care professionals [13,52,56,60,65,69,70,76,81].”

The remaining intervention concerned service provision, which reported beneficial effects.

“The remaining intervention concerned service provision [65], which reported beneficial effects.”