Virtual Life Story Club to reduce loneliness and apathy in older adults
A Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness and Apathy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
This project will try weekly virtual Life Story Club reminiscence sessions for 12 weeks to see if they reduce loneliness and apathy in community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older without dementia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Montefiore Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (The Bronx, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06919094 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot will deliver a virtual group reminiscence therapy program (Life Story Club) once weekly for 12 weeks to older adults living in the community. Loneliness and apathy will be measured before and after the 12-week intervention using validated outcome measures. Feasibility will be evaluated with quantitative metrics (screening/enrollment, retention, satisfaction) and qualitative interviews with a subset of about 30 participants to explore acceptability and barriers. The intervention leverages an existing community-based virtual program to test a scalable, non-pharmacologic approach to social isolation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older who speak English or Spanish, can provide informed consent, do not have dementia, and have access to the internet or a phone.
Not a fit: People with dementia (AD8 score ≥4 or prior diagnosis), severe hearing or vision loss, or without internet/phone access are unlikely to benefit from this virtual group intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce feelings of loneliness and apathy and improve participants' sense of belonging and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Reminiscence therapy has shown benefits for cognition, mood, quality of life, and apathy in older adults in prior studies, but this specific virtual Life Story Club program has not been formally studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 60 and over * English or Spanish fluency * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Dementia based on Aging and Dementia (AD8) score of ≥4 or previous dementia diagnosis * Severe auditory or visual loss * Lack of access to internet connection or phone
Where this trial is running
The Bronx, New York
- Montefiore Medical Center — The Bronx, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mirnova Ceide, MD — Montefiore Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mirnova Ceide, MD
- Email: mceide@montefiore.org
- Phone: 347-920-0112
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.