Treating Loneliness as a Clinical Risk
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By
February 12, 2026
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3 min
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1
Telephone interventions reduced loneliness in older adults.
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2
Study involved 1,151 adults aged 65+.
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3
Behavioral activation (Tele-BA) and mindfulness (Tele-MF) used.
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4
Improvements in well-being metrics like sleep quality.
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5
Significant reductions in loneliness assessed at various intervals.
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6
Study conducted in Hong Kong with specific cultural characteristics.
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7
Additional research needed for generalizability.
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A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open revealed that telephone-delivered behavioral activation and mindfulness interventions significantly reduced loneliness and enhanced well-being among older adults over a 12-month period. The study involved 1,151 solo-living adults aged 65 and older in Hong Kong, who participated in these low-intensity interventions led by trained lay counselors. Improvements were noted in various well-being metrics, suggesting its potential to inform scalable behavioral health programs targeting loneliness as a clinical risk factor.
-
1
Telephone interventions reduced loneliness in older adults.
-
2
Study involved 1,151 adults aged 65+.
-
3
Behavioral activation (Tele-BA) and mindfulness (Tele-MF) used.
-
4
Improvements in well-being metrics like sleep quality.
-
5
Significant reductions in loneliness assessed at various intervals.
-
6
Study conducted in Hong Kong with specific cultural characteristics.
-
7
Additional research needed for generalizability.
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