Abstract: (28 Views)
Background and purpose: Loneliness and social isolation are distinct but interrelated challenges among older adults and are associated with adverse outcomes, including depression, cognitive decline, and increased mortality. This systematic review aimed to examine the effects of interventions implemented, designed, coordinated, or supervised by nurses on loneliness or social isolation among adults aged 60 years and older. Interventions included nurse-led programs as well as interventions delivered by students or trained peers under nursing supervision, with loneliness and social isolation assessed as separate outcomes.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, and IranMedex for studies published between 2015 and 2026. The primary search was conducted from September 23, 2025, to February 19, 2026, with an additional search on August 6, 2026. Of 247 identified records, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria, including publication within the specified period, a nursing-related intervention, full-text availability, and reporting of an outcome related to social isolation. Quantitative findings were synthesized narratively, while qualitative findings were analyzed using thematic synthesis and integrated through a convergent segregated approach.
Results: Interventions were categorized into four groups: remote emotional support, educational, community-based, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Remote emotional support reduced loneliness (p<0.001 to p<0.05), whereas educational interventions were generally effective when combined with emotional support. Cognitive-behavioral interventions demonstrated the greatest reductions in social isolation. Qualitative studies highlighted nurses as a “digital bridge” and an “emotional anchor,” while also identifying challenges related to privacy and professional boundaries.
Conclusion: Some nurse-led interventions, particularly sustained, relationship-based, and multimodal approaches, were associated with reduced loneliness and, with less certainty, reduced social isolation. Given the small number and heterogeneity of studies and the absence of meta-analysis or formal certainty-of-evidence grading, these findings are preliminary. Definitive conclusions regarding effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, or superiority over other approaches cannot be drawn.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, and IranMedex for studies published between 2015 and 2026. The primary search was conducted from September 23, 2025, to February 19, 2026, with an additional search on August 6, 2026. Of 247 identified records, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria, including publication within the specified period, a nursing-related intervention, full-text availability, and reporting of an outcome related to social isolation. Quantitative findings were synthesized narratively, while qualitative findings were analyzed using thematic synthesis and integrated through a convergent segregated approach.
Results: Interventions were categorized into four groups: remote emotional support, educational, community-based, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Remote emotional support reduced loneliness (p<0.001 to p<0.05), whereas educational interventions were generally effective when combined with emotional support. Cognitive-behavioral interventions demonstrated the greatest reductions in social isolation. Qualitative studies highlighted nurses as a “digital bridge” and an “emotional anchor,” while also identifying challenges related to privacy and professional boundaries.
Conclusion: Some nurse-led interventions, particularly sustained, relationship-based, and multimodal approaches, were associated with reduced loneliness and, with less certainty, reduced social isolation. Given the small number and heterogeneity of studies and the absence of meta-analysis or formal certainty-of-evidence grading, these findings are preliminary. Definitive conclusions regarding effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, or superiority over other approaches cannot be drawn.
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Psychiatric Nursing
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